Study of arsenic contamination of soils of Ambrolauri municipality

In 2022, the level of arsenic contamination of soils as a result of exposure to hazardous industrial waste containing arsenic from Rachi Mining Chemical Plant was studied in Ambrolauri municipality. In particular, a study of arsenic contamination of the soils of the villages of Uravi, Abari, Likheti and Sori, Oni, Utsera, Shovi, Nikortsminda, Ambrolauri and Shaori reservoir was conducted. Soil samples were taken from the exposure sites of arsenic factories (Uravi 1 and Uravi 2); from agricultural fields (Sori, Abari, Likheti); From recreational (Ambrolauri, Nikortsminda, coast of Shaori reservoir) and background (Utsera, Shovi, Oni) places. Soil samples were taken at 0-5 and 5-20 cm depth in June and October. Points highly contaminated with arsenic in the soil have been identified and hazard indices have been calculated. 19 at-risk soil sampling sites were identified with hazard index (HQs>1) due to high arsenic concentrations. According to the comparison of the results of the conducted research, the soils of Uravi are the most contaminated with arsenic