Deltaic parts of the main rivers of Georgian nearshore areas of Black sea (regions of Batumi and Poti)

Radioactivity in biota; Contaminant fluxes between the terrestrial and marine environment; Geological sample radioactivity; Concentration of other organic contaminants in biota; Concentration of other organic contaminants in the water column

Gas chromatographs; mass spectrometers

Based on the results of the work carried out by the Department of Environment of the Institute (1990-1996) we have information concerning pollution of the Black Sea ports - Batumi and Poti. Reports of the Institute and articles cover this data. The present condition of the Black Sea and the level of pollution of Batumi and Poti have been surveyed. Taking into consideration regional peculiarity of West Georgia we have designed the table of calculations of maximum possible industrial waste. Based on this information we calculated the rate of toxic substances from industrial enterprises located near the river Rioni and the nearshore area of the Black Sea. It has to be mentioned that in the area around Batumi, hydrocarbon concentration of oil origin often extended its maximum accepted concentration (MAC) in water and very often amounted from 10 MAC to 24 MAC. The most polluted points of this area were revealed as well. These are Batumi harbor and two points where rivers Bartskhana and Kubistskali, containing sewage of Batumi oil processing plant, join the sea. You may observe the direct dependence of oil content in water on fluctuation of natural radiation in the given area. Therefore their high content in seawater is revealed in the warmest months. It has to be mentioned as well, that in the same period (at high temperature) the number of hydrocarbon microorganisms sharply goes up, though in summer months there are all conditions to provide oil destaiction process and this causes sharp increase of their concentration in seawater. Such correlation of oil product concentration with natural radiation in the areas is revealed on the surface layers of water as well as in deeper ones (10 m, 20 m). We can observe analogical (direct) dependence of phenol on natural radiation. As it happens in case with oil. We assume that phenols are intermediate products in oil product destruction process, which explains their high content in water during warm months. In this work on the base of 20 years long (1969-1989) statistic data (biogen elements, oil products, phenol, chlorine organic pesticides, heavy metals etc.) was estimated the role of seven main rivers of Georgia in the Black Sea pollution rate.

Iv.Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Centre of Relations with UNESCO Oceanological Research Centre and GeoDNA (UNESCO)
1 I. Chavchavadze Ave., 0128,Tbilisi, Georgia Iv.Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi


Georgia