Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in selected rivers of Kakheti

Abstract

Water pollution is a significant ecotoxicological problem for the environment. Various toxic compounds discharged into water bodies disrupt the ecosystem's balance, reduce or completely destroy the self-cleaning ability of rivers, and decrease biodiversity. Priority pollutants include heavy metals, whose increased presence in the environment is particularly dangerous to human health. The paper presents the ecochemical condition of two rivers in Georgia: the Turdo River and the Didkhevi River. Water analyses were performed using modern methods and equipment that meet European standards. Based on the results of hydrochemical analyses, it was concluded that the levels of heavy metals—specifically cadmium and copper—have increased to their maximum permissible concentrations in these natural waters. The Didkhevi River was found to be more polluted, with recorded cadmium levels at 0.005 mg/l and copper levels at 4.01 mg/l. In comparison, the Turdo River had slightly lower levels of these pollutants, with cadmium content observed at 0.0023 mg/l and copper at 2.15 mg/l.