Water and Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals in the Inner and Outer Kakheti Pastures

Abstract

Pasture, with its purpose and area of use, is an important and irreplaceable resource for the country; therefore, it is necessary to maintain and protect its sustainable state. This article presents the content of soil cover, the determination of heavy metals in it, and the assessment of the quality of drinking water intended for livestock in the pasture area. Water and soil samples were taken with the aim of determining the participation of water in the pollution chain, as well as determining the level of pollution in it. The article presents a study that was conducted in the pasture area of Inner Kakheti. 14 soil samples were taken from 7 study sites (Akhmeta, Village Shakhvetila, Koghoto, Sagarejo-village Patardzeuli, Gurjaani-village Pkhoveli and village Arashenda), the content of heavy metals Cd-cadmium, Cu-copper, Pb-lead and Zn - zinc in these samples were determined by laboratory analysis. The studied soils are not contaminated with heavy metals, their content in the samples does not exceed the so-called maximum permissible concentration (MPC), only in the village of Pkhoveli (Gurjaani) in the upper (0-20) cm layer of soil, a “Disturbing” 155.2 mg/kg of copper (Cu) was found. The difference compared to the (MPC) (>140) is 15.2. Also, within the framework of the study, laboratory analysis of seven water samples taken from water reservoirs in the above-mentioned study regions was carried out in order to determine the level of their contamination. Research water samples are not contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn), and their content in the water samples does not exceed to the (MPC).