Water Resource Characterization and Risk Assessment: Tchiatura Mining District, Republic of Georgia

The USEPA has been involved in the US State Department's Bio-chem Redirect Program (BCRP) since 1999. The BCRP is focused on non-proliferation , anti-terrorism and re-training of former Soviet Union scientists. Using funds from the BCRP program, EPA ORD and Region 8 scientists are directing an international collaborative research project in Ukraine and Georgia. The objectives of this project are to: (a) evaluate the extent and significance of metals contamination of water resources, and the associated risks to human health and environment from  selected abandoned / operational mine facilities in Georgia and Ukraine and (b) evaluate the use and effectiveness of innovative characterization methods and remedial technologies for metals contamination. This paper presents results from the environmental and human health characterization at the largest manganese mining district in the former Soviet Union. Manganese mining and smelting occurred for decades in the vicinity of Tchiatura and Zestaponi in western Georgia. Mining operations have been discontinued with no environmental or risk reduction controls in place. Data from analyses of water, sediment and air samples from three sampling events provide insight on the concentrations, distribution and important exposure pathways for manganese,  pathogenic micro-organisms and other contaminants. Results, findings and reccomendations from the project will be presented to the public, the Georgia Ministry of Environmantal protection and other relavent agencies.