Environmental status of the metropolitan river (Kifissos) of Athens, Greece

Panagiotopoulos, Ioannis; Kapsimalis, Vasilios; Hatzianestis, I.; Kanellopoulos, Theodore D.; Kyriakidou, C.

doi:10.1007/s12665-009-0417-6

Cited by 23 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…High concentrations of this particular element are probably linked to biogeochemical processes within the streamwater-sediment interface. Data of heavy metal concentrations are also comparable to values reported by Panagiotopoulos et al (2010) for surficial and sub-surficial sediments obtained from the lower course of the Kifissos River. In their study, the calculated enrichment factors for the identified heavy metals, with the baseline taken from a pristine area in the adjacent Saronikos Gulf, were very low.…”

Section: Heavy Metals In Water and Stream Sedimentsupporting

confidence: 85%

Comparative geochemistry of three urban streams in Athens: Kifissos-Podoniftis-Pikrodafni

et al. 2017

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The geochemistry of three urban streams in Athens was analysed and compared on the basis of major elements and heavy metals content in water and active sediment. The studied streams of Kifissos, Podoniftis and Pikrodafni run through the Athens basin of a total area of 540 km2 but differ with respect to the origin of their headwaters i.e., Parnitha, Penteli and Hymettus mountains. The main aim of the study was to determine the geochemical signature of water and sediment within the Athens hydrological basin and evaluate the effect of natural and anthropogenic environment on these water courses. A total of 56 stream water samples were obtained and analysed for major anions, cations and heavy metals (Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb) as well as nitrate and phosphate concentrations. Active stream sediments were collected at 22 locations along the streams and were analysed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd). Results indicated that rock weathering, rather than atmospheric or pollution influx is the dominant process affecting the major ion geochemistry of stream flow in the urban setting. However, Kifissos and Podoniftis waters had higher nitrate and phosphate concentrations indicating greater influence by anthropogenic activities. In general the quality characteristics of water and sediment in the study area were found to be in a good state regarding the studied parameters.

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Section: Heavy Metals In Water and Stream Sedimentsupporting

confidence: 85%

Comparative geochemistry of three urban streams in Athens: Kifissos-Podoniftis-Pikrodafni

et al. 2017

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“…The extract was saponified with methanolic KOH, and the non-saponified material was extracted with n-hexane, then cleaned up and fractionated by silica column chromatography. Two fractions were obtained, the first containing aliphatic hydrocarbons and the second the polyaromatic compounds (Zenetos et al 2004;Panagiotopoulos et al 2010).…”

Section: Sampling and Chemical Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine sediments of the Hellenic coastal zone, eastern Mediterranean: levels, sources and toxicological significance

Botsou

Hatzianestis

2011

J Soils Sediments

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Purpose Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread in sediments, particularly near areas of intense human activities. Due to their mutagenic and carcinogenic behaviour, PAHs are classified as priority contaminants to be monitored in environmental quality control schemes. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of PAHs in major coastal areas of Greece that receive various pressures, investigate their sources and evaluate their potential toxicity by comparison against effects-based Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG). Materials and methods Forty-one sediment samples were collected from four areas of the Hellenic coastline. PAH concentrations were determined by GC-MS, after Soxhlet extraction and fractionation by silica column chromatography. Source apportionment was conducted by isomeric ratio diagnostic criteria. The mean quotient Effects RangeMedian (m-ERM) was used to evaluate the potential of adverse effects posed to benthic organisms. Results and discussion The levels of PAHs were found to vary widely from 100 to more than 26,000 ng g −1 . The highest levels were found in the close vicinity of an alumina production plant in the Gulf of Corinth. High levels of PAHs were also found at a few sites in each of the areas studied, close to a nickel production plant (North Evoikos Gulf), at the rainwater and wastewater outfalls of the great urban areas of Athens and Thessaloniki and at the industrialized area of Elefsis Bay (Saronikos Gulf). At the most contaminated sites PAH had a pyrolytic origin. Comparison of PAH levels to the SQG indicated that less than 15% of the sites studied have an intermediate probability (24-49%) of being toxic. Conclusions In general, discrete point sources were identified as the major contributors of PAH contamination in the Hellenic coastal zone. Therefore, source control measures should be considered for protecting, or restoring, sediment quality, particularly in areas that support a diversity of anthropogenic activities (e.g. fishing, tourism, industry).

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“…The main highway runs along the river basin, and the last 10 km of the river corridor are channeled under the highway. All these activities led to the chemical pollution of the river water and sediments [34,35]. The Pinios Thessaly River basin is located in central Greece, one of the most intensely cultivated agricultural areas, and flows out into the Aegean Sea (Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rivers and Wastewater-Treatment Plants as Microplastic Pathways to Eastern Mediterranean Waters: First Records for the Aegean Sea, Greece

et al. 2021

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The present work provides the first records on microplastic (MP) amounts and types in rivers and wastewater effluents entering the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean. Two rivers were sampled using a manta net (mesh size, 0.33 mm): a small urban and a medium-sized river with a rural, semiurban catchment. MPs in wastewater samples were collected at two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) within the Athens metropolitan area after secondary treatment and from a pilot biological membrane unit (MBR), using a series of sieves. MPs in the samples were identified using stereoscopic image analysis and spectroscopic techniques. MP concentrations in the rivers were found to be variable, with as high as 27.73 items m−3 in the urban river. Differences in MP shape types, sizes, and polymer types reflect catchment size and usage. MP concentration in wastewater effluents was found to be 100 times higher in the secondary treatment (213 items m−3) than that in the pilot MBR (2.29 items m−3), with filaments and polymers indicative of synthetic textiles and household use. Further research is needed in order to accurately determine variability in MP concentrations and fluxes from these two pathways in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and elucidate the role of rivers in MP retention.

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Environmental status of the metropolitan river (Kifissos) of Athens, Greece

Cited by 23 publications

References 26 publications

Comparative geochemistry of three urban streams in Athens: Kifissos-Podoniftis-Pikrodafni

Comparative geochemistry of three urban streams in Athens: Kifissos-Podoniftis-Pikrodafni

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine sediments of the Hellenic coastal zone, eastern Mediterranean: levels, sources and toxicological significance

Rivers and Wastewater-Treatment Plants as Microplastic Pathways to Eastern Mediterranean Waters: First Records for the Aegean Sea, Greece

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