Journals of Georgian Geophysical Society

Phase Shift Sign Changes into Boreholes of Georgia

Genadi N. Kobzev — 2024-08-26

Using the example of a Georgian well, the possibility of regular changes in the sign of the phase shift between gravity and water level is shown.

Comparison of Satellite Remote Sensing and Field Ground Observation Data for the Large Glaciers Retreat Study in Georgia

George I. Kordzakhia — 2024-08-26

The results of the comparison of satellite remote sensing (SRS) data and ground-based observation (GBO) information on the large glaciers (Adishi, Shkhara and Gergeti) of Georgia are presented. From each satellite image, the location of the tip of the glacier's tongue was determined, a chronological order of the data was made, and the average rate of glacier retreat was calculated. Using SRS, the dynamics of the retreat of glaciers are studied based on the determination of individual places of movement of the tip of the glacier tongue. The dynamics of some large glaciers retreat based on the GBO data of the National Hydrometeorological Service (NEA) of Georgia is presented and is additionally used for quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC) of the results. The analyses show that based on SRS and GBO data the retreats of studied glaciers are nonlinear and by high confidence can be presented by a parabola curve. The comparison of SRS and GBO data shows that they are in good agreement with each other.

Study of Kutaisi City Atmospheric Air Pollution with PM10 Particles using Numerical Modeling. A Case of Fresh Western Background Breeze

Aleksandre A. Surmava — 2024-08-26

Study of Kutaisi city atmospheric air pollution with PM10 particles has been conducted by means of combined integration of 3D regional model of atmospheric processes evolution and equation of admixtures transfer-diffusion. Patterns of PM10 concentration time chance and spatial distribution have been obtained. It has been shown that a formed field of wind velocity promotes PM10 particles transportation from the city and atmosphere “self-purification” process. It has been obtained by calculations that aerosol propagation process conventionally runs by four stages and depends on motor transport traffic intensity, trunk roads’ location and city relief. Relatively high pollution zones have been identified. It has been established that thermal stability of the atmosphere in the surface layer of atmosphere plays crucial role in time change of microaerosols’ concentration and high concentrations formation process.

Hydrochemical Study of Artesian and Spring Waters of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region in 2022-2024

Lali U. Shavliashvili — 2024-08-26

Hydrochemical characteristic of artesian and spring (drinking) waters available at the territory adjacent to arsenic processing enterprises of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region in 2022-2024 has been considered in the work. There have been identified artesian and spring waters polluted with different ingredients.

The following conclusions have been made based on the carried-out studies:

in some cases, among ingredients polluting artesian and spring waters there has been registered increase of some components (mineral forms of nitrogen, water hardness, sulfates, mineralization, microbiological indicators) compared to respective MPCs; these waters belong to the category of medium-salt (average mineralization) waters, while an acid water of the spring located below Lentekhi is ranked among highly mineralized waters;

total arsenic content in the spring waters flowing towards Tsana in 2022-2024 has surpassed the MPC and arsenic hazard quotient HQ_Dw >1, so these waters are at risk;

arsenic concentration in other spring waters is within the norm.

Some Results of Radioecology Monitoring of Black Earth Soils of Georgia

Sophiko B. Matiashvili — 2024-08-26

Based on radioecological monitoring data, the average content of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr in 2019-2023 in the black earth soils of Georgia was studied. The obtained results are marked with the corresponding coordinates and given on the map. The average content of ¹³⁷Cs in black earth soils was determined to be 13.9 Bq/kg. The standard deviation is 14.0 Bq/kg. The content of ¹³⁷Cs in almost 95% of black earth soils does not exceed 32 Bq/kg. The average content of ⁹⁰Sr in soils is 4.1 Bq/kg. The highest ¹³⁷Cs contamination is recorded in the Samtskhe–Javakheti region of Georgia (Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, Vale, Ninotsminda, Adigeni, Aspindza, Akhaldaba). Radionuclides in the mentioned soils, namely ²²⁶Ra content is 23 Bq/kg, ²³²Th is 31 Bq/kg. As for ⁴⁰K-500 Bq/kg. The role of long-term decay products ²¹⁰Pb in the contamination of agricultural products is discussed.

On the Potential of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence - GeoAl in Solving Problems of Development of Metal-Bearing Technogenic Deposits

Gigo V. Jandieri — 2024-08-26

Solid mineral wastes generated as a result of mining and processing of minerals represent a significant environmental problem of the geosphere. Their accumulations in terms of scale and content are deservedly referred to technogenic deposits, the development of which is of great interest both for modern and upcoming digital-industrial revolution called "Industry-4.0". It is noted that the effectiveness of this activity will depend on the efficiency and adequacy of the assessment of the environmental and economic feasibility of extracting the target components, on the quantitative assessment of the volume of accumulation of the extracted element, the possibility of extending its life cycle, on the expected composition of by-products and their consumer value, on the minimum acceptable level of profitability of the selected development technology, as well as - on the rate of re-accumulation and environmental inertness of the waste generated during recycling. In connection with the above, this study emphasizes the importance and necessity of the application of modern hybrid geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI), which includes the synergy of general artificial intelligence (AI) based on adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with geographical information systems (GIS). Consequently, in order to increase the efficiency of GeoAI application and to obtain accurate and effective results in solving the set tasks, it is recommended and justified the expediency of combining the knowledge of neural networks and fuzzy logic with GIS data, where the latter will serve as a source-storage of reference (initial/boundary) data on the current and desired for achieving the set goal changes in the developed technogenic deposits.

Impact of Current Climate Change on Frost Characteristic Parameters in Western Georgia using 2007-2022 Year Meteorological Data

Naili I. Kapanadze — 2024-08-26

According to the weather stations 2007-2022 data in Western Georgia, the distribution of the intensity of frosts of different intensity has been studied. The early, average and late dates of the last spring and the first autumn frost in the research period have been determined. In 2007-2022 period in comparison with the 1951-1965 one, a shift in the average values of freezing has been revealed for the last spring frosts for about 1-14 days earlier, and for the first autumn frosts 7-10 days later, which increased the duration of frost-free periods and, accordingly, the duration of the vegetation period by 11- 21 days, which corresponds to 10-17%. An exception is Akhaltsikhe, where the reduction of frost-free periods by 15 (9%) days has been detected against the background of climate change. The dependence of frost-free periods on the Arctic Oscillation has been found.

About the Representativeness of Data from Meteorological Stations in Georgia for Monthly Sum of Atmospheric Precipitation Around of These Stations

Avtandil G. Amiranashvili — 2024-08-26

Results of study of the representativeness of data from 39 meteorological stations in Georgia for monthly sum of atmospheric precipitation around of these stations are presented. Period of observation – from 1936 to 2015. In particular, it was found that the representativeness of these stations in terms of monthly precipitation varies from 14 km (Akhalkalaki, January) to 90 km (Akhaltsikhe, October).

Variability in the Number of Days with Hail in the Warm Half of the Year in Bolnisi and Tsalka in 1941-2021 and their Expected Change until 2045

Mikheil G. Pipia — 2024-08-26

The paper presents the results of a study of the features of variations in the number of days with hail in the warm half of the year (HD) in Bolnisi and Tsalka in 1941-2021 and their expected change until 2045. The stability of time series of the number of days with hail at the indicated points was studied by determining the HD correlations with time (linear correlation, Kendall's and Spearmen's rank correlation). The level of autocorrelation in HD time series in Bolnisi and Tsalka was determined. The periodicity of these time series has been studied. Interval forecasting of the number of days with hail in Bolnisi and Tsalka until 2045 was carried out, taking into account the periodicity in the HD time series.

Some Results of an Expeditionary Study of the Tornado Distribution Area in Kakheti on June 25, 2024

Avtandil G. Amiranashvili — 2024-08-26

Some results of an expeditionary study of the tornado distribution area in Kakheti on June 25, 2024 are presented. The team of researchers visiting the Alaverdi Cathedral, had a meeting with His Eminence, Bishop of Alaverdi, Metropolitan David. The damage to the Alaverdi Cathedral and its surroundings was discussed in detail. Important information has been received regarding this issue. Further research was continued in the area surrounding the Alaverdi Cathedral and in the direction of the villages of Kvemo and Zemo Alvani. The probable place of origin of the tornado and the trajectory and area of its spread were determined. The damage caused by the tornado on the propagation trajectory was studied. More detailed studies of this natural phenomenon are planned in the near future.

Variability of the Holiday Climate Index in Tsalka (Georgia)

Avtandil G. Amiranashvili — 2024-08-26

Data about long-term monthly average values of Holiday Climate Index (HCI) for Tsalka (Georgia) are presented. Detailed analysis of the monthly, seasonal and annual HCIs values over the 60-year period (1956-2015) are carried out. The variability of the HCI in 1986-2015 compared to 1956-1985 was studied, and the trends of the HCI in 1956-2015 were also investigated.

The Importance of Electric Field in Formation of Sporadic E (Es) at the Equatorial Region

Giorgi T. Dalakishvili — 2024-08-26

It has been shown analytically and by appropriate numerical methods that the formation and localization of sporadic E (Es) in the equatorial area can be determined by the height profiles of the ion vertical drift velocity and its divergence. In this case, the existence of a minimum negative value (maximum convergence rate) in the divergence profile, when ions converge vertically into the Es layer, is significantly determined by both the neutral wind velocity and the zonal and vertical components of the electric field.

In the equatorial region, with a constant westward electric field, the maximum vertical convergence rate of ions is in the region of the height where the ion-neutral collisional () and ion cyclotron () frequencies are equal. In case of the constant upwards or downwards electric field, this rate is located at approximately 0.9H (where H is a neutral scale) above or below the region where , respectively. The vertical convergence of the ions developed in these regions and the formation of the Es layer can take place against the background of their upward or downward drift. It localizis in the node of this drift velocity, or in the regions where this velocity disappears. Such predicted formation and behavior of Es layers are demonstrated by numerical methods.

The effect of the zonal and vertical components of the electric field, as well as the wind velocity determined by the HWM14 data, on the processes of ion convergence/divergence development is shown. In these cases, the ion convergence/divergence process induced by the electric field can affect both the formation and disruption (depletion) of the Es layer formed by neutral wind, as well as can also form an additional layer.