Distribution of organotin compounds in the bivalves of the Aegean Sea, Greece

Five bivalve species--Mytilus galloprovinciallis (Mediterranean mussels), Venus gallina (stripped venus), Modiola barbatus L. (bearded horse mussels), Pecten jacobeus (scallops) and Callista chione (hard clams)--were collected from seven areas in Aegean Sea, Greece, between August 2001 and January 2003 and analyzed for organotins (OTs). The concentrations (as geometric means) found were 17.1 ng g-1 for tributyltin (TBT), 18.8 ng g-1 for dibutytltin (DBT), 7.8 ng g-1 for monobutyltin (MBT) and 13.0 ng g-1 for triphenyltin (TPhT) (wet weight), which are at similar or lower levels than those reported worldwide. Studying OTs distribution between different bivalve species, lower concentrations were observed in mediterranean mussels, possibly due to their growth in water column (grown on sea net pens in mussel farms), in contrast to the free-ranging species, collected from fishing grounds. Concentrations of the OTs in the examined bivalves varied seasonally.     

Formation of organic by-products during chlorination of natural waters

Natural water from six sources in Mytilene, Greece, was chlorinated in order to identify and quantify some of the organic by-products formed. The compounds examined were trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, haloketones, chloral hydrate and chloropicrin. The factors tested were time and chlorine dose. The presence of bromide ion in some of the waters studied resulted in significant changes in the by-product speciation, with enhanced brominated species formation. In addition, UV absorbance, measured at three wavelengths, led to correlation of organic matter content with the concentrations of by-products produced. The species formed, varying among different water sources, increased with increasing chlorine dose. Most of the species also increased with increasing contact time, although there were some exceptions due to hydrolysis reactions.     

Chemical composition and mass closure of ambient PM10 at urban sites

The chemical composition of PM10 was studied during summer and winter sampling campaigns conducted at two different urban sites in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece (urban-traffic, UT and urban-industrial, UI). PM10 samples were chemically analysed for minerals (Si, Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, Ti, K), trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, V, Zn, Te, Co, Ni, Se, Sr, As, and Sb), water-soluble ions (Cl^?, NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and carbonaceous compounds (OC, EC). Spatial variations of atmospheric concentrations showed significantly higher levels of minerals, some trace metals and TC at the UI site, while at the UT site significantly higher levels of elements like Cd, Ba, Sn, Sb and Te were observed. Crustal elements, excepting Ca at the UI site, did not exhibit significant seasonal variations at any site pointing to constant emissions throughout the year. In order to reconstruct the particle mass, the determined components were classified into six classes as follows: mineral matter (MIN), trace elements (TE), organic matter (OM), elemental carbon (EC), sea salt (SS) and secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA). Good correlations with slopes close to 1 were found between chemically determined and gravimetrically measured PM10 masses for both sites. According to the chemical mass closure obtained, the major components of PM10 at both sites were MIN (soil-derived compounds), followed by OM and SIA. The fraction unaccounted for by chemical analysis comprised on average 8% during winter and 15% during summer at the urban-industrial site, while at the urban-traffic site the percentages were 21.5% in winter and 4.8% in summer.     

Volatile organic compounds in the surface waters of northern Greece

An investigation into the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was conducted for a period of two years in the surface waters of Northern Greece. Samples from four rivers and five lakes were taken seasonally and analyzed for VOCs. The analysis has been performed by purge-and-trap (PAT) gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) technique. The most commonly encountered VOCs in surface waters were chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, dichlorobromomethane, tetrachloroethylene, and chlorodibromomethane.     

Investigation of the behaviour of haloketones in water samples

The behaviour of the haloketones (HKs) 1,1-Dichloropropanone (1,1-DCP), 1,1,1-Trichloropropanone (1,1,1-TCP) and 1,3-Dichloropropanone (1,3-DCP) in ultrapure water solutions and in fortified drinking water samples was investigated. Their concentrations were determined at regular time intervals by the use of a gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method. Two different temperatures were studied. The results have shown that HKs decompose both in ultrapure water solutions and in drinking water samples. The decomposition rates are higher in the drinking water samples, especially at higher temperature. 1,1,1-TCP is the compound which decomposes fastest followed by 1,3-DCP and 1,1-DCP. Chloroform was formed both in the ultrapure water solutions and in the drinking water samples, probably due to the decomposition of 1,1,1-TCP. In the drinking water samples, formation of chloral hydrate was also observed.     

Organochlorine pesticides in the surface waters of Northern Greece

A survey undertaken in Northern Greece has shown that organochlorine pesticides are present in the surface waters. Surface water samples have been collected seasonally from four rivers and five lakes for a period of two years. Solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatographic techniques with electron capture detection was used for the determination of the compounds. The most commonly encountered organochlorine pesticides in surface waters were the isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, aldrin, dieldrin and endosulfan sulfate. In some cases the concentrations detected were higher than the qualitative target levels set by the European Union, especially for hexachlorocyclohexane and aldrin. The occurrence of these compounds in Greek surface waters can be attributed to intense agricultural activity as well as to transboundary pollution.     

Monitoring priority substances of directives 76/464/EEC and 2000/60/EC in Greek water bodies

The priority substances of List I, 76/464/EEC Directive, some of which belong to the new Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, have been monitored in the surface waters of Greece through the developed network of 53 sampling stations. The analytical methods used for the determination of these substances included Purge and Trap-Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry for volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detection for organochlorine insecticides, High Performance Liquid Chromatography for pentachlorophenol and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for metals. The results have shown the presence of several priority substances in Greek surface waters, in most cases at concentrations well below the regulatory limits. However, non-compliance was observed for a limited number of compounds. The monitoring network and the analytical determinations have to be expanded to more water bodies and more priority substances, in order to safeguard the quality of Greek surface waters.     

Chelating agent-assisted electrokinetic removal of cadmium, lead and copper from contaminated soils

An integrated experimental program was conducted to remove Cd, Pb and Cu from contaminated soil. The chelate agents nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and ethyleneglycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA) were used as washing solutions under different pH conditions and concentrations. Results showed that the extraction efficiency for Cd in decreasing order was NTA > EGTA > DTPA, while for Pb and Cu it was DTPA > NTA > EGTA. The use of higher chelate concentrations did not necessarily result in greater extraction efficiency. Electrokinetic remediation was applied by conditioning anolyte-catholyte pH to neutral values in order to avoid any potential alterations to the physicochemical soil properties. The removal efficiency for Cd was 65-95%, for Cu 15-60%, but for Pb was less than 20%. The phytotoxicity of the treated soil showed that the soil samples from the anode section were less phytotoxic than the untreated soil, but the phytotoxicity was increased in the samples from the cathode section.     

Environmental characterization of a Mediterranean protected shallow brackish coastal aquatic system,Klisova Lagoon,Western Greece: a case study

The Klisova lagoon aquatic system belongs to the wetland of Messolonghi - Aetoliko – Klisova Lagoon Complex, located in the western Greece and represents one of the most important Mediterranean lagoon systems, as it is protected by international conventions and is listed in the Natura 2000 European Network. Water physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients definition, TOC, TN and bacteriological indicators (E.coli and Enterococcus spp.) were analyzed in a time period of 1 year monthly monitoring in five sampling sites along the lagoon. The geographical distribution of these parameters show a clear zonation and partition of the lagoon as the result of: (a) the discharging of poorly treated wastes into the lagoon of Mesolonghi city waste water treatment plant and (b) the interplay between sea water influence via the lagoon inlet and the fresh water inflow via lagoon’s perimeter channels. The lagoon is characterized by seasonal hypoxic conditions, which are responsible for several ecological socks in the past including fish mortalities. The system is threatened by human interference and sedimentological processes such as the longshore drifting and siltation of the lagoon inlet. Measurements should immediately be taken in order to prevent further downgrading of the water quality.     

A SWOT analysis of environmental management practices in Greek Mining and Mineral Industry

Over the last two decades, mining and mineral exploration companies have adopted various environmental management practices in response to society’s pressure for better environmental protection. The literature highlights a number of benefits and challenges for companies adopting environmental management practices with the Greek Mining and Mineral Industry (GMMI) facing similar issues. In order to analyze the challenges faced by the GMMI, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted, which examined the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by the industry when adopting environmental management practices. The analysis prescribes policy recommendations both for the government and industry which, if adopted, could facilitate improved environmental performance.