Eye on Earth Summit Abu Dhabi, 6-8 October, 2015 Informed decision –making for Sustainable Development

International Center for Environmental Research www.icfer.org E-mail: icfer@icfer.org

Dynamics of distribution of pathogenic bacteria during waterfowl migration in the lake Paliastomi, Ramsar site

Grigol (Gia) Abramia

Experience of ICFER in the Field

Examining different biotechnological processes that can be utilized in the reduction of pollution in the Black Sea

Department of Biochemistry/Laurentian University /NATO/ICFER

• Evaluating the management of metal pollution in the Black Sea

• Scientific visiting tours to Georgia.• Scientific visiting tours to the Canadian Laurentian

University.• Organization of workshops and seminars.

WB Georgian Agriculture Development Program’s Project - CGS 03-70 “Bacteriophages against antibiotic

resistant salmonella infections in poultry"• PIT has undertaken following tasks:• -identified illness dynamics during different years, types of illness, possible

sources• of their distribution in different age groups;• -reviewed provided preventive - treatment measures and had identified the

reasons• for fall;• -identified sanitary hygienic indicators of water;• -identified sanitary hygienic indicators of food;• --approved provisional instruction for the use of Intersti bacteriophage

preparation in poultry at Georgian Veterinary University scientific Council and Georgian State Vetrinary Department;

• -held a workshop and a conference for stakeholders: poultry farmers, agricultural companies , research institutions, international donors

Kolkheti National ParkGEORGIA / GÉORGIE (2 Ramsar Sites, 34,480 hectares) * Ispani Mire 07/02/97 Adjara 770 ha 41º52’N 041º50’E * Wetlands of Central Kolkheti 07/02/97 Guria and Samegrelo 33,710 ha 42º12’N 041º42’E

Lake Paliastomi

Key Biodiversity of site

Migrating raptors 25 species other large, soaring birds are concentrated here in spring and autumn, due

to their aversion to flying over the sea or high mountains. Spring and autumn migration Ciconia nigra (350-500, autumn), Pernis

apivorus(8,420, autumn), etc..Passage and wintering birds such as Gavia arctica, grebes , Puffinus yelkouan,

Ciconiiformes, wildfowl (several dabbling duck species, also Clangula hyemalis, Melanitta fusca, Mergus albellus), shorebirds, gulls and terns, etc.

Project aims to update mechanisms of relatively fast express bio-monitoring: to use phages as biosensors; monitor seasonal dynamics of water bacterial pollution caused by migratory waterfowls in the lake Paliastomi, Ramsar site

Objectives: Make a review of existing sanitary-biological research of following waters in the lake Paliastomy. Definition of dynamics of background sanitary-microbial indicators in - flowing waters;Definition of dynamics of background sanitary-microbial indicators in the lake Paliastomy caused by migratory waterfowls;Study of biological characteristics of secreted pathogenic agents and definition of their vulnerability towards antibiotics and existing in our collection phages;To apply to mathematical mode to study the spreading and die off of pathogen organisms in relation to physical-chemical factors like light, salinity, temperature, sedimentation rates etc based on the module of particle (PA) two-dimensional model.Developing numerical demonstration model on the data and information made available during our research.

Expected Significance

• Will be worked out: • Hydrodynamic model of lake Paliastomi:

– Hydrodynamic data including depths of water– Level of water– Inflowing waters– Wind velocity data

• Bacteriological model (die off of bacteria and phage distribution)• Will be created modernized technology on drinking and bathing water bacterial pollution

prevention, mitigation and respond.• Visualization of bacterial pollution in water reservoirs is accessible through various

modeling tools, which enables to find out What, When, Where has been happening and what is the concentration size.

• The technology may be replicated in other Ramsar water bodies that might enable Ramsar community to have overview of dynamics of bacterial pathogens distribution in different Ramsar sites of the world and their possible clean up by environmentally applicable technology