Determination the Water Quality Classification of the River Kvirila

Abstract

In Georgia, the Chiatura municipality of the Imereti region is one of the most vulnerable points in terms of environmental pollution. The main problem of the municipality is the intensification of mining activities (manganese production). Manganese mining in Chiatura causes great damage to the Kvirila river. Determining the cleanliness of the river is necessary because the mined ore is washed with the water of the Kvirila river, after which the wastewater flows into the Kvirila river without treatment and pollutes it.

The following parameters were determined in the water samples taken: physicochemical and hydrochemical parameters, namely: pH, electrical conductivity, biogenic substances - NO₂^-, NO₃^-, NH₄⁺, PO₄^3-, basic ions, mineralization, heavy metals: Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co and the total form of manganese. River Kvirila water samples was taken background and below the pollution source.

The following conclusions were drawn as a result of the study:

1. According to the pollution index, the water of the Kvirila river downstream of the Andro LLC fell into the “highly polluting” category, and downstream of the Jruchula LLC - into the “dirty” category, on the basis of which they were assigned the 5th and 4th classes of water quality, respectively.


2. The Kvirila river at its background point fell into the “clean” category and was assigned the first class of water quality.