Research of Uncontrolled Landfills Impact on Environment in Georgia

The inventory of the uncontrolled sites revealed uncontrolled landfill sites existing in the districts/regions of Georgia. The significant increase of soil and partially surface waters pollution level is developed due to the inefficient management of the different types of wastes. That significantly worsens social and economic conditions of life of the population. Integrated study of abovementioned issues is the scientific novelty of the research. The special research were carried to determine the pollution level in the samples collected, which due to the direct impact of these types of landfill sites on the surrounding areas, are often the main polluters of environment. The pollution conditions were studied based on modern methodology and techniques (ISO methods). The analysis revealed: hotspots existing in Georgia and necessary measures for prevention or/and mitigation measures for the concerned municipalities.


Introduction
The proper management of the wastes is one of the important environmental problems of mankind [1][2]. Taking into consideration that in development countries exist the uncontrolled landfill sites it is obvious to create necessary measures for the policymakers for the elimination corresponding pollution risks [3][4].
There are a several uncontrolled landfill sites in Georgia. The countries policy after Soviet Union collapse was fully concentrated on the wastes that were remaining after Soviet troop's withdrawal. These were mainly the radioactive wastes as well as the chemical hazardous substances. These wastes were fully neutralized.
Still in Georgia the household and municipal wastes are existing. Such landfills are disposed country wide. They are often located near settlements, pastures and gorges. Even this time it is often impossible to transport wastes from these sites for final disposal or/and to clean up the territory [4]. Uncontrolled landfills remain on the places of disposal for years becoming one of the sources of pollution of the surrounding areas with different types of waste. Accordingly, the sanitary state of these areas is significantly deteriorated. It would be taken into consideration that nearby these sites the small rivers are existing and there is possibility to pollute their waters from landfills. These rivers can transfer this pollution to long distances. These hot spots create the necessity of complex study of pollution risks of the environment (land resources, surface waters, in some cases the underground water resources). Based on received results the necessary measures for assessment, prevention or/and reduction of underlying contamination risks would be created [5][6][7][8][9].
The problem is important as uncontrolled landfills may cause significant problems to population health.
Georgia covers an area of 69.700 km 2 .
Approximately 54% of the territory of Georgia is mountainous. The high mountains and plains occupy respectively 33% and 13% of country's territory. Respectively, the 70% of the territory is below the altitude of 1,700 meters [10].
Geography of Georgia is diverse: humid, subtropical lowlands and swamps; lakes and numerous rivers and soils; valleys; semi-deserts; hills; mountains covered by forests and glaciers [10].
Uncontrolled sites made a difficult problem to population especially to the people from the regions. The inventory of the uncontrolled sites was fulfilled. It deduced numerous uncontrolled landfill sites existing in the districts/regions of Georgia. In Fig. 1 is presented the disposition of uncontrolled landfill sites and its surroundings territories from where the testing (water and soil tests) where made.
Due to the mentioned problems the study includes almost all districts/regions of Georgia.
In Georgia the uncontrolled landfills, due to the inefficient management of the different types of wastes, ignoring the principles of sustainable development the significant increase of soil and partially surface waters pollution level is developed. That significantly worsens social and economic conditions of life of the population.
Integrated study of abovementioned issues is the scientific novelty of the research.
Shortly the used methods and devices are listed as follows:    4 3-) and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd). In parallel with the abovementioned procedures, microbiological analyses (total coli forms, Fecal streptococci, and Е. coli) of the pilot samples were performed, while at the sampling time, physicochemical properties of water were analyzed (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and salinity) using а portable device in the field at the sampling location (see Fig. 2). The all tests of the soil were taken (see Fig. 3) and transported to the leading two certified laboratories.
Accordingly, the objects of our research were comprehensively studied in order to collect not only hydro chemical but physicochemical and microbiological data as well.

Results & Discussions
As it was mentioned above the samples (water, soil) were taken during 2013-2014 in illegal household waste landfill sites i.e. at the sampling location ( Fig. 2-3) and further analyzed in laboratories.
By using proven modern methodology and techniques (ISO methods), the laboratories have assessed the pollutants in the samples collected, which due to the direct impact of these types of landfill sites on the surrounding areas, are often the main polluters of environment. Based on these analysis the amounts of these polluters are determined i.e. some main ions, several forms of biogenic elements (NO 2 -, NO 3 -, NH 4 + , PO 4 3-), and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd). The carried microbiological analyses give possibility to define the exact amounts of total coli forms, fecal streptococci, and Е. Coli. At the same time at the sampling locations physicochemical properties of water were analyzed (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and salinity) using а portable device in the field. Accordingly, the objects of our research were comprehensively studied in order to collect not only hydrochemical but physicochemical and microbiological data as well.
For each sampling location physical and geographical features: altitude, coordinates, approximate area of the landfill (coordinate system WGS-84. UTM), meteorological conditions were included. For performing this measurements portable GPC device is used. Based on these measurements is prepared related map (Fig. 1).
As it is seen from Fig. 1 the analyzed samples are taken from surrounding and nearby areas of uncontrolled sites western, eastern districts/regions of Georgia as well as the capital of Georgia c. Tbilisi.
In many cases, the concentrations of various polluting ingredients determined from the soil and water samples analyzes exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations, e.g., in the Kakheti region (Eastern Georgia).
High levels of pollution of lead and biogenic elements are revealed in Sagarejo (Fig. 4-5).
Microbiological analysis of the results revealed the significance of content of the leakage water of uncontrolled landfill site in the village of Metekhi (Eastern Georgia). Based on the research outputs in Fig. 6 the total coli form concentrations in the water samples collected from the Suramula River and Metekhi village landfill wastewater are presented.   As determined each liter of this water contains million units total coliform. This means that the infiltration of leakage water to the river Kura (Eastern Georgia) and which is used by pets is very dangerous for the rural population.
It would be noted that based on our recommendations the municipality of this site cleaned the territory.
The analysis performed for the soil samples gathered in the districts and towns of region Kvemo Kartli (Eastern Georgia): Marneuli, Kumisi, Bediani showed (see Fig. 4-5) that the pollution for the city Marneuli is very high. Comparison with MAC defines that in Kumisi the concentration of the carcinogenic heavy metals in the soil, namely lead amount is below MAC and cadmium is slightly more than MAC. The same comparison for the Bediani shows that the amounts of these metals are a little more than corresponding MACs and for the city Marneuli these characteristics are significantly higher than corresponding values of MACs.
It would be noted that the samples were taken from the vicinity of the landfill located nearby the city center. The analysis has revealed that the value of cadmium concentration is 2.5 times more than corresponding MAC value and the lead concentration is almost 5 times more than the related MAC.  The received results show that very different results are obtained for the West and East Georgia. The analysis of the water and soil samples showed that the territories and water bodies adjacent to the landfills located in western Georgia are relatively less polluted than similar areas in the East Georgia.
To prove this result the outputs of comparative analysis of the average results of the pollution characteristics for all three regions (West and East Georgia, the outskirts of c. Tbilisi) can be placed.
In Fig. 9-11 the copper, lead and zinc concentrations in the soil samples collected in Eastern Georgia, Western Georgia and the outskirts of Tbilisi are presented.
Analyses of these figures show that for the copper values content are higher than EAC values for the East Georgia and less than EAC for the West Georgia and outskirts of Tbilisi.
The corresponding analyses for the lead concentration in the soil samples revealed that lead concentrations values for East Georgia (almost everywhere) are higher than MAC and less than EAC or comparable with it for the West Georgia and outskirts of Tbilisi.
The corresponding analyses for the zinc concentration in the soil samples revealed that zinc concentrations values for East Georgia (almost everywhere) are higher than EAC and less than EAC or comparable with it for the West Georgia and outskirts of Tbilisi.   It can be concluded that the most intensive anthropogenic impact on the surrounding areas of the uncontrolled landfill sites is observed in East Georgia and much less for the Western Georgia and the outskirts of Tbilisi.
Based on the performed research and analysis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that uncontrolled landfill sites play a significant role in the pollution process of the environment (water, soil, air). From the polluting components, we studied content of carcinogenic elements such as copper and cadmium and the amount of E. coli and Fecal streptococci concentrations and it is revealed that these concentrations often exceeds the MAC values.
Based on this analysis can be concluded that uncontrolled landfill sites not only pollute the surrounding areas and the environment, in general, but they create a significant hazard conditions for human health. Accordingly, the uncontrolled landfill sites should be immediately freed from wastes.

Conclusion
There are a several uncontrolled landfill sites in Georgia. The country's policy after Soviet Union collapse was fully concentrated on the wastes that were remaining after Soviet troop's withdrawal. These were mainly the radioactive wastes as well as the chemical hazardous substances. In addition to it the household and municipal wastes are existing. Such landfills are disposed country wide. There are a several uncontrolled materials and substances that create the high level of pollution and impact on surrounding territories. One of the main purpose of such conditions is that in Georgia are not designated the governmental bodies by the legislation responsible for the safe storage of hazardous wastes.
In different regions of Georgia numerous uncontrolled landfill sites exists. They are often located near settlements, pastures and gorges. Even this time it is often impossible to transport wastes from these sites for final disposal or/and to clean up the territory. Taking into consideration that nearby these sites the small rivers are running the water of them could be contaminated. These rivers can transfer this pollution to long distances. These hot spots create the necessity of complex study of the risk of pollution of the environment (land resources, surface waters, in some cases the underground water resources).
The study considers almost all districts/regions of Georgia.
In  4 3-), and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd). The carried microbiological analyses give possibility to define the exact amounts of total coli forms, fecal streptococci, and Е. Coli. At the same time at the sampling locations physicochemical properties of water were analyzed (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and salinity) using а portable device in the field. Accordingly, the objects of our research were comprehensively studied in order to collect not only hydrochemical but physicochemical and microbiological data as well.
The received results allow concluding: The pollution is different for the West and East Georgia. The analysis of the water and soil samples showed that the territories and water bodies adjacent to the landfills located in western Georgia are relatively less polluted than similar areas in the East Georgia; In Kakheti region (East Georgia) concentrations of various polluting ingredients (heavy metals, biogenic elements) determined from the soil and water samples exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations; In East Georgia are revealed heavy metals and total coliform high concentrations. The pollution by cadmium in c. Marneuli (Qvemo Kartli) and contamination by coliform forms in the water in vil. Metekhi (Shida Qartli Region) would be noted. Based on the performed research and analysis of the results obtained, it can be said that uncontrolled landfill sites play a significant role in the pollution process of the ecosystems (water, soil, air). From the polluting components, we have assessed carcinogenic elements such as copper and cadmium as well as E. coli and Fecal streptococci the concentration of which-in our case-very often exceeds the Maximum Allowable Concentrations. All this suggests that the uncontrolled landfill sites not only pollute the surrounding areas and the environment, in general, but they represent rather create a significant hazard to human health. Accordingly, the surrounding areas with high levels of pollution should be immediately freed from such landfill sites.