Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal and Spatial Nutrient Dynamics in Saronikos Gulf: The Impact of Sewage Effluents from Athens Sewage Treatment Plant

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control

Abstract

This chapter provides a long-term case study illustrating responses of a coastal Gulf in the Mediterranean Sea to reduced loading of sewage. Saronikos Gulf receives effluents from the Athens metropolitan area (population over 5 million). Until 1994, sewage discharged untreated into the surface waters of Keratsini and Elefis Bays. Sewage treatment first started in the Psitallia sewage treatment plant where the wastes discharged into inner Saronikos Gulf at 63 m depth. By the end of 2004, the secondary stage of the Psittalia sewage plant was operational.

We examined nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics in the inner Saronikos Gulf over the last 25 years in relation to these changes in sewage input. Additionally we described changes in the environmental status of inner Saronikos Gulf. Inorganic nutrient data from 170 cruises obtained during the year 1987–2010 allow us to describe the nutrient dynamics results and data evaluation. The study was focus on changes in nutrient concentrations between three main periods:

  1. 1.

    Before treatment of sewage

  2. 2.

    During primary treatment of sewage

  3. 3.

    During secondary treatment of sewage

Significant changes in nutrient dynamics noticed after the operation of primary sewage treatment plant. Nutrient concentration was high in the inner Saronikos Gulf due to the high amount of primarily treated effluents. After the year 2005, when the secondary sewage treatment was operational, there was a general decrease in nutrient concentrations in the inner Saronikos Gulf.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Airoldi L, Beck MW (2007) Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe. Oceanogr Mar Biol 45:345–405

    Google Scholar 

  • Αlonso-Rodriguez R, Paez-osuna F, Cortes Αltamiranο R (2000) Trophic conditions and stoichiometric nutrient balance in subtropical waters influenced by municipal sewage effluents in Mazatlar Bay (SE Gulf of California). Mar Ρollut Bull 40:331–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anagnostou CH, Drakopoulou V, Kapsimalis V, Papathanasiou E (2005) Anthropogenic activities along the Hellenic Coasts. In: Papathanassiou E, Zenetos A (eds) State of the Hellenic Marine Environment, HCMR, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Azzurro E, Matiddi M, Fanelli E, Guidetti P, La Mesa G, Scarpato A, Axiak V (2010) Sewage pollution impact on Mediterranean rocky-reef fish assemblages. Mar Environ Res 69:390–397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berman T, Townsend DW, El Sayed S., Trees CC, Azov Y (1984) Optical transparency, chlorophyll and primary productivity in the Eastern Mediterranean near the Israeli coast. Oceanol Acta 7:367–371

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berman T, Walline PD, Schneller A, Rothenberg J, Townsend DW (1985) Secchi disk depth record: A claim for the eastern Mediterranean. Limnol Oceanogr 30:447–448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brzezinski MA (1985) The Si:C:N ratio of marine diatoms: interspecific variability and the effect of some environment variables. J Phycol 15:305–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter JH (1965a) The accuracy of the Winkler method for the dissolved oxygen analysis. Limnol Oceanogr 10:135–140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter JH (1965b) The Chesapeake Bay Institute technique for dissolved oxygen method. Limnol Oceanogr 10:141 -14

    Google Scholar 

  • Dassenakis M, Kapiris K, Pavlidou A (2000) The Aegean Sea: In: Sheppard Ch (ed) Seas at the Millenium: Environmental Evaluation 1:233–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowidar NM (1984) Phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity of the southeastern Mediterranean. Deep-Sea Res 31:983–1000

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EU Water Framwework Directives (2000) Intergrated river basin management for Europe. Directive 2000/60/EC of the Eurpoean Parliament and the Council establishing a framework for the community action in the field of water policy. ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/. Accessed 29 Oct 2013

  • Faganeli J (1981) Nutrient Dynamics in seawater column in the vicinity of Piran submarine sewage outfall (North Adriatic). Marine Pollut Bull 13:61–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Firfilionis G, Paraskevopoulou V, Vilioti G, Dassenakis M (2004) The removal of trace metals at the wastewater treatment plant of Psyttalia. Med Mar Sci 5:71–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman JC (1976) Identification of nitrogen as a growth-limiting nutrient in waste-waters and coastal marine waters through continuous culture algal assays. Water Res 10:97–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herut B, Almogi-Labin A, Jannink N, Gertman I (2000) The seasonal dynamics of nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations on the SE Mediterranean shelf-slope. Oceanol Acta 23:771–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karydis M (1999) Evaluation of the trophic levels in Greek coastal ecosystems. Lesvos Island. Univ. of Aegean, Scientific Report, Greece

    Google Scholar 

  • Kontoyiannis H (2010) Observations on the circulation of Saronikos Gulf: a Mediterranean embayment sea-border of Athens/Greece. J Geophys Res 115, C06029, 23 pp. doi:10.1029/2008JC005026

    Google Scholar 

  • Koroleff F (1970) Revised version of “Direct determination of ammonia in natural waters as indophenol blue” Int Con Explor Sea C M 1969/ C:9 ICES information on techniques and methods for sea water analysis. Interlab Rep 3:19–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Krom MD, Kress N, Brenner S, Gordon LI (1991) Phosphorus limitation of primary productivity in the E. Mediterranean sea. LimnolOceanogr 36:424–432

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krom MD, Brenner S, Kress N, Neori A, Gordon LI (1992) Nutrient dynamics and new production in a warm-core eddy from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Deep-Sea Res 39:467–480

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krom MD, Brenner S, Kress N, Neori A, Gordon LI (1993) Nutrient distributions during an annual cycle across a warm-core eddy from the eastern Mediterranean sea. Deep-Sea Res 40:805–825

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGill DA (1965) The relative supplies of phosphate, nitrate and silicate in the Mediterranean Sea. Comm Int Explor Sci Mer Medit Rapp PV Reunions 18:734–744

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullin JB, Riley JP (1955) The colorimetric determination of silicate with special reference to sea and natural waters. Anal Chim Acta 12:162–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy J, Riley JP (1962) A modified single solution method for phosphate in natural waters. Anal Chim Acta 12:162–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagou K (2005) Eutrophication in Hellenic coastal areas. In: Papathanassiou E, Zenetos A (eds) State of the Hellenic marine environment. HCMR, Athens pp 127–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagou K, Siokou-Frangou I, Papathanassiou E (2002) Nutrients and their ratios in relation to eutrophication and HAB occurrence. The case of Eastern Mediterranean coastal waters. In: Second Workshop on ‘‘Thresholds of Environmental Sustainability: The case of nutrients’’, 18–19 June, Brussels, Belgium

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagou K, Varkitzi I, Assimakopoulou G, Konstantinopoulou A (2011) Phytoplankton distribution and phytoplankton groups in the Inner Saronikos Gulf in: E. Krasakopoulou (ed), Monitoring of the Inner Saronikos gulf affected by Psittalia Sewage discharges. HCMR, final Technical Report, May 2011, 81–112 (in Greek)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A (2010) Nutrients in transitional, coastal (and marine) waters (GR-SEBI 2010 15). In: National Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development 2010, European Environmental Agency. http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/countries/gr/soertopic_view?topic = biodiversity

  • Pavlidou A (2012) Nutrient distribution in selected coastal areas of Aegean Sea (East Mediterranean Sea). J Environ Sci Eng 1:78–88

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A, Souvermezoglou E (2006) Nutrients in the Mediterranean Sea. In: Karageorgis A (ed) Pollution in the Mediterranean sea: An overview from IASON SSA, Project No:515234– Deliverable 4.1

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A, Kontoyiannis H, Psyllidou-Giouranovits R (2004) Trophic conditions and stoichiometric nutrient balance in the Inner Saronikos Gulf (Central Aegean) Fresen Environ Bull 13:1509–1514

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A, Psyllidou-Giouranovits R, Sylaios GK (2005) Nutrients and dissolved oxygen in Hellenic coastal waters, In:Papathanasiou E. Zenetos A(eds)State of the Hellenic Marine Environment, HCMR, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A, Kontoyiannis H, Psyllidou-Giouranovits R (2008) Nutrient concentrations in the Inner Saronikos Gulf after the sewage secondary treatment. Fresen Environ Bull 17:1852–1858

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A, Kontoyiannis H, Anagnostou Ch, Siokou–Frangou I, Pagou K, Krasakopoulou E, Assimakopoulou G, Zervoudaki S, ZeriCh, Chatzianestis I, Psyllidou-Giouranovits R (2010) Biogeochemical Characteristics in the Elefsis Bay (Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean) in relation to anoxia and climate changes.In: YakushevE (ed) Chemical Structure of Pelagic Redox Interfaces: Observation and modeling, HdbEnvChem, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg. doi:10.1007/698_2010_55

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavlidou A, Hatzianestis I, Psyllidou-Giouranovits R (2012) Dissolved oxygen decrease near the bottom of the Inner Saronikos Gulf affected by the Athens Sewage Outfall. Geophysical Research abstracts Vol. 14, EGU General Assembly 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Redfield AC (1958) The biological control of chemical factors in the environment. American Science 46:205–221

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riley JP (1975) Determination of dissolved gases. In: Riley JP (ed) Chemical Oceanography, 2nd edn. Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Salihoglu I, Saydam C, Basturk O, Yilmaz K, Gocmen D, Hatipoglu E, Yilmaz A (1990) Transport and distribution of nutrients and chlorophyll—a by mesoscale eddies in the northeastern Mediterranean. Mar Chem 29:375–390

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schlitzer R (2011) Ocean data view. http://odv.awi.de

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoullos MJ, Sakellari A, Giannopoulou K, Paraskevopoulou V, Dassenakis M (2007) Dissolved and particulate trace metal levels in the Saronikos Gulf, Greece, in 2004. The impact of the primary Wastewater Treatment Plant of Psittalia. Desalination 210:98–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simboura N, Zenetos A (2002) Benthic indicators to use in ecological quality classification of Mediterranean soft bottoms marine ecosystems, including a new biotic index. Medit Mar 3:77–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Simboura N, Panayotidis P, Papathanassiou E (2005) A synthesis of the biological quality elements for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive in the Mediterranean ecoregion: The case of Saronikos Gulf. Ecolog Indicat 5:253–266

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siokou-Frangou I, Krasakopoulou E, Assimakopoulou G, Giannakourou A, Kontoyiannis H, Pagou K, Panayiotidis P, Pavlidou A, Simboura N, Zenetos A, Zeri Ch, Zervoudaki S (2009). Impact of Athens Metropolitan Area Sewage Outfalls on the Saronikos Gulf Ecosystem. Impact of large coastal Mediterranean cities on marine ecosystems. Procecedings of 4th International Zooplankton Production Symposium, Alexandria, Egypt 10–12 February 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Souvermezoglou E (1989) Distribution of nutrients and oxygen in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Proceedings of the UNESCO/IOC Second Scientific Workshop Trieste, Italy, POEM SciRepts 3:85–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Stergiou IK, Christou ED, Georgopoulos D, Zenetos A, Souvermezoglou C (1997) The Hellenic Seas: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Fisheries. Oceanogr Mar Biol 35:415–538

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland JDH, Parsons TR (1977) A practical handbook of sea water analysis. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. pp 167–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsiamis K, Panayotidis P, Salomidi M, Pavlidou A, Kleinteich J, Katerina Balanika K, Küpper FC (2012) Macroalgal community response to re-oligotrophication: a case study from Saronikos Gulf (Eastern Mediterranean, Greece). MarEcol-ProgSer, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP/MAP (2004) Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Mediterranean Coastal Cities (II). MAP Technical Reports Series 157. UNEP/MAP, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Xenarios S, Bithas K (2009) Valuating the receivig waters of urban wastewater systems through a stakeholder-based approach. Int J Water Resour D 25:123–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu J, Ho AYT, Yin K, Yuan X, Anderson DM, Lee JHW, Harrison PJ (2008) Temporal and spatial variations in nutrient stoichiometry and regulation of phytoplankton biomass in Hong Kong waters: influence of the Pearl River outflow and sewage inputs. Mare Pollut Bull 57:335–348

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yacobi Y, Zohary T, Kress N, Hecht A, Robarts RD, Wood AM, Li WKW (1995) Chlorophyll distribution throughout the southeastern Mediterranean in relation to the physical structure of the water mass. J Marine Sys 6:179–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zenetos A, Bellou N, Abousamra F (2005) The use of BENTIX in assessing ecological quality of coastal waters across the Mediterranean, In: Magni P et al (Eds) Indicators of Stress in the Marine Benthos: Proceedings of an International workshop on the promotion and use of benthic tools for assessing the health of coastal marine ecosystems, Torregrande-Oristano, Italy 8–9 October 2004. IOC Workshop Report, 195. pp 18–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeri C, Kontoyiannis H, Giannakourou A (2009) Distribution, fluxes and bacterial consumption of total organic carbon in a populated Mediterranean Gulf. Cont Shelf Res 29:886–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zorpas A, Vlyssides A, Zorpas G, Karlis P, Arapoglou D (2001) Impact of thermal treatment on metal in sewage sludge from the Psittalias wastewater treatment plant, Athens, Greece. J Hazad Mater B82:291–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 47th Km of Athens-Sounio Av., 19013, Anavyssos, Greece

    A. Pavlidou, H. Kontoyiannis, N. Zarokanelos, I. Hatzianestis, G. Assimakopoulou & R. Psyllidou-Giouranovits

Authors
  1. A. Pavlidou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Kontoyiannis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. Zarokanelos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. I. Hatzianestis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. Assimakopoulou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Psyllidou-Giouranovits
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Pavlidou .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

    Abid A. Ansari

  2. Stress Physiology & Molecular Biology, Maharshi Dayanand University Centre for Biotechnology, Rohtak, Haryana, India

    Sarvajeet Singh Gill

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pavlidou, A., Kontoyiannis, H., Zarokanelos, N., Hatzianestis, I., Assimakopoulou, G., Psyllidou-Giouranovits, R. (2014). Seasonal and Spatial Nutrient Dynamics in Saronikos Gulf: The Impact of Sewage Effluents from Athens Sewage Treatment Plant. In: Ansari, A., Gill, S. (eds) Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences and Control. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7814-6_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation