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Abstract: The transboundary Evros River discharges into the Alexandroupolis Gulf, located in the inner shelf of the northeastern Aegean Sea, where it has formed an extended delta. Grain-size and mineralogical analyses of five sediment cores, collected in the subaqueous delta, provide the following information about recent sedimentation processes in the northeastern part of the Aegean shelf: (a) river mouth deposits, consisting of coarse-grained sediments, are mainly deposited in front of the active mouth, whilst some sandy material is expected to be transported alongshore by nearshore currents; (b) delta front deposits are characterised by fine-grained sediments that include evidence of human activities which have taken place, in a more intense way, since the 1950s; and (c) prodelta deposits are represented by almost uniform riverine mud that cover the pre-existed relict sands of the shelf, indicating also the limit (some 15 km to the SW) of the influence of riverine sedimentation on the seabed of the inner shelf of the Alexandroupolis Gulf. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.

Abstract: During the last two decades light transmission (LT) data have been collected routinely in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, within the framework of several research projects. A procedure was developed to obtain beam attenuation coefficient due to particles (cp) at 660-670 nm adjusted for variations in mid-depth 'clear' water and instrumental drifts. Data from 3146 stations occupied between 1991 and 2001 were converted to a common format for the analysis of particulate matter (PM) temporal and spatial distribution patterns. The data were separated into 'wet' (December-May) and 'dry' (June-November) periods. The horizontal distribution of beam cp at various depths revealed clearly higher values in the surface nepheloid layer (SNL) in the vicinity of river mouths during the 'wet' period, whilst the increase was negligible during the 'dry' period. In contrast, the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL; 1-10 m above bottom) appeared to be turbid throughout the year, particularly on the continental shelves receiving riverine discharge. This feature is attributed to resuspension and advection of recently deposited bottom sediments due to waves and currents. However, the Eastern Mediterranean as a whole is impoverished in PM in the water column, particularly at depths >200 m. The behavior of surface-water cp revealed a strong relationship to mesoscale dynamic features. Cyclonic eddies, which upwell nutrient-rich waters toward the surface, favor primary production, which was identified as elevated beam cp values. Beam cp was correlated with PM concentration (PMC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration obtained by bottle sampling. Although there were regional differences in the correlations, no significant seasonal variations were observed. Two generic equations were generated that can be used for a first-order estimate of PMC and POC from historical LT measurements conducted in the area, provided that data are handled according to the proposed methodology. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Bryant and Eastern Canyons are located in northwest Gulf of Mexico, and are characterized by a complex sedimentological history related to glacioeustatic cycles, river discharges, and interactions between depositional and halokinetic processes. This study is based on detailed sedimentological analysis from forty-eight long cores from these two canyons. This paper determines the evolutionary history of the canyons and assesses the response of sedimentary processes to morphological, climatic, hydrological, and sea-level changes. During the last glaciation, the upper and middle continental slope was supplied with sediments by low density turbidity currents derived from the depositional segregation (deposition of the coarsest material in the most proximal locations) of large turbidity currents initiated on the outer shelf. The lower continental slope was supplied with sediment by westward flowing bottom currents, originated from the entrainment of the most diluted wash-load and tails of turbidity currents from the Mississippi Fan. Bryant and Eastern Canyon systems were active during the penultimate glaciation, Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6, and were supplied with sediments by an ancestral shelf-margin Mississippi River delta. Gravity flows transported enormous amounts of sediment to the continental slope and abyssal plain of the northwest Gulf of Mexico. The sea-level rise at MIS 5 led to confinement of river-sourced sediments to the widespread continental shelf of the northwest Gulf of Mexico, and consequently to the cessation of gravity flows. During the first 40 kyr of MIS 5, salt diapirs transformed the canyons into a network of intraslope basins. The sea level dropped to the mid-shelf during MIS 3 and 4, but never reached the shelf-break, and therefore, river-sourced sediments remained largely confined to the shelf. However, seaward sediment transportation was achieved occasionally through turbidity currents related to sediment failures, storms, and high-river discharges. Four high river discharge events have been identified during this period. The first three were centred at 37, 45, and 53 cal ka BP. The last high river discharge occurred at the end of MIS 3 (29.4-33.2 cal ka BP), and resulted in the deposition of closely-spaced, mud turbidites over the entire continental slope. The Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) was restricted north of the upper Mississippi River valley during 60 to ? 30 cal ka BP and therefore, the high river discharge events are interpreted as melt-water events, related to brief southward advancements of the LIS, which resulted in the flooding of Mississippi River. The extensive lowering of sea level during the last glacial maximum (MIS 2) resulted in the almost direct discharge of Mississippi River sediments to the upper continental slope leading to the development of abundant turbidity currents. Eleven wet-dry cycles during this period are defined; they probably originated from episodic subglacial melt-water floods, released from southern parts of the LIS. The last deglaciation event is characterized by the development of a major melt water event at 16.5-13 cal ka BP that resulted in the deposition of distinct, organic-rich sediments. At about 13 cal ka BP, the melt water discharges of the LIS in North America switched from the Mississippi River to either the St. Lawrence or Mackenzie River valleys, causing the domination of hemipelagic sedimentation on the continental slope of the northwest Gulf of Mexico. Isotopic data indicate that melt-water discharges returned to the Mississippi River Valley at ? 11.4 cal ka BP. The absence of any sedimentological indication on the continental slope of the northwest Gulf of Mexico of the return of the melt-water discharges to the Mississippi River is attributed to the confinement of river-sourced sediments on the continental shelf due to the rise of the sea level. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Axios River delta and the Inner Thermaikos Gulf coastal zone have experienced a long period of human interventions during the past 100 years. A post-evaluation of long run coastal zone changes under the Drivers-Pressures-State-Impacts-Response (DPSIR) conceptual framework is presented. The DPSIR approach is then used to project out into possible futures in order to connect with policy and management options proposed for the improvement of the current conditions and the achievement of sustainable development, in the coastal zone. Socio-economic driving forces with their origins in the end of the 19th century have generated numerous pressures in the coastal environment that changed the state of the environment. In the first part of the last century, there was no coupling between change of state and policy. Due to increasing environmental awareness, a coupling became more apparent over the last thirty years. Human interventions include river route realignment, extensive drainage of the plains, irrigation network, roads and dam constructions. The consequences were positive for the economic development of the area, human health, and navigation for the port of Thessaloniki. In contrast, the manipulation and over-use of natural resources has led to a reduction of wetlands, biodiversity loss, stress on freshwater supplies, and subsidence of coastal areas, aquifer salinization, and rapid coastal erosion. Three plausible future scenarios are utilised in order to investigate the implications of this environmental change process and possible socio-economic consequences.

Abstract: Thermaikos Gulf is considered to be one of the most polluted coastal zones in Greece. It is the final receptor of both municipal and industrial wastewaters from the city of Thessaloniki and of two heavily polluted rivers, Axios and Aliakmon. Nutrient enrichment and consequent eutrophication is the primary water quality issue of Thermaikos. The mathematical model WASP 6.0 was used to simulate the hydrodynamics, nutrient dynamics and phytoplakton evolution in the gulf. The model is a physical-based model that compartmentalizes the water body into high dispersivity, uniform concentration compartments. It then performs mass balances on water quantity and quality. In addition to the hydrodynamics, the model can simulate the carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous and plankton concentrations in the water body. Monthly hydrologic and water quality fluxes from 1997 to 1998, inputs to the gulf and seasonal nutrient surveys in the gulf were used to calibrate nutrient dynamics. The gulf was compartmentalized into 12 compartments, six were horizontal and two were vertical. Salinity data were used to calibrate the hydrodynamic variables of the model. Model calibration was conducted by minimizing the root mean square error between field observations and model simulation. The model was able to capture the variation of salinity and nutrient concentrations. The results showed the importance of Thessaloniki effluents to the Thessaloniki Bay and Gulf and the Axios and Aliakmon River loads to the degree of eutrophication of the entire gulf. The model can be used to assess management scenarios to improve the water quality of the gulf. © 2005.

Abstract: The Evros River is the second largest river of the Eastern Europe after the Danube River and is the largest river system that drains into the northeastern Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). Sediment cores recovered from the river's prodelta have been analysed in order to reveal the sedimentation rates and the heavy metal contamination history of the area. The results show the long term potential environmental impacts caused by reclamation works which have taken place in the subaerial part of the river delta since the 1950s. Sedimentation rates, based on 210Pb inventories, are ? 3.0 cm y- 1 in front of the river mouth and ? 0.4 cm y- 1 approximately 9 km offshore, however they have decreased more than 50% in the last 50 years. The rapid reduction of the sedimentation rate between the various regions of the Alexandroupolis Gulf reflects changes mainly in water circulation patterns of the area, mainly driven by the Samothraki Anticyclone. In addition, intensification of agricultural and industrial activities within the river basin have caused considerable increase of heavy metals, such as Cu (Enrichment Factor, EF: 2.2), Zn (EF: 2.0), Cd (EF: 6.0), and Pb (EF: 16.2), in the surface sediments of the Evros River prodelta. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Axios River delta and the Inner Thermaikos Gulf coastal zone have experienced a long period of human interventions during the past 100 years. A post-evaluation of long run coastal zone changes under the Drivers-Pressures- State-Impacts-Response (DPSIR) conceptual framework is presented. The DPSIR approach is then used to project out into possible futures in order to connect with policy and management options proposed for the improvement of the current conditions and the achievement of sustainable development, in the coastal zone. Socio-economic driving forces with their origins in the end of the 19 th century have generated numerous pressures in the coastal environment that changed the state of the environment. In the first part of the last century, there was no coupling between change of state and policy. Due to increasing environmental awareness, a coupling became more apparent over the last thirty years. Human interventions include river route realignment, extensive drainage of the plains, irrigation network, roads and dam constructions. The consequences were positive for the economic development of the area, human health, and navigation for the port of Thessaloniki. In contrast, the manipulation and over-use of natural resources has led to a reduction of wetlands, biodiversity loss, stress on freshwater supplies, and subsidence of coastal areas, aquifer salinization, and rapid coastal erosion. Three plausible future scenarios are utilised in order to investigate the implications of this environmental change process and possible socio-economic consequences. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

Abstract: Surface sediments of the NW Aegean Sea were analyzed for clay mineral composition (94 samples), organic C and carbonate content, and major and minor elements (112 samples). Illite is the most abundant clay mineral, followed by smectite, chlorite and kaolinite. Clay minerals are preferentially deposited within the continental shelf and slope environment, due to the prevailing cyclonic circulation and the formation of flocs in the rivers' pro-delta areas. The spatial distribution of major lithogenic elements (Si, Al, Ti, Fe) is substantially biased by the presence of relict sands located in the central-eastern part of the Thermaikos Gulf continental shelf. Biogenic elements (Ca, Sr) are noticeably pronounced on the northern flank of the North Sporades Islands. Organic C content and minor elements Cu, Zn, As and Pb are enriched markedly over the Thessaloniki Bay and Gulf suggesting substantial human impact, deriving largely from untreated or partly treated domestic and industrial effluents. The terrigenous component of the elements is preferentially contributed from the Axios River (Zn and Pb), the Aliakmon River (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and As), and to a lesser extent from the Pinios River (V, Co, Ni and Cu); a considerable part of the metals originates in ultra-mafic and volcanic formations, which are abundant in the rivers' catchment basins. Carbonate content exhibits great variability, with the highest values observed in biogenic sediments of the Sporades Basin. In the latter area, Mn (and Fe) oxides and hydroxides were found as coatings on calcite. The coatings were enriched in Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Mo and Pb, due to adsorption or ion-exchange during early diagenesis. The combined influence of the river systems, the Thessaloniki metropolis, and the diverse sedimentological background, generates great patchiness in the distribution of major and minor elements. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The coastal zone of the inner Thermaikos Gulf has been influenced by eutrophication during the past decades. The conditions of the catchment area-coastal zone continuum are assessed under the holistic Driver-Pressure- State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. Major socioeconomic drivers, such as industrial and agricultural development as well as urbanization, exert substantial environmental pressures on the Axios River and the Thermaikos Gulf. The Thermaikos Gulf is a highly complex system, being affected by nutrient inputs from four rivers and the City of Thessaloniki. Moreover, the Axios River which is the most significant contributor of freshwater and nutrients to the gulf, is a transboundary river shared between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The two countries have not yet established a mutual management plan to control freshwater and nutrient discharges. Long-term analysis has shown that presently, more than 11,800 t of nitrogen and 3,400 t of phosphorous are released annually into the marine system. In the Antropocene era, and particularly during the past 20 years, freshwater discharges have decreased and riverine nutrients have increased, whereas inputs from domestic and industrial effluents have a decreasing trend. However, nutrient over-enrichment impacts, i.e. eutrophication, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia still have to be addressed in order to identify whether the coastal system is recovering, or whether further actions should be undertaken to control nutrient inputs from the Axios River and/or other sources. Response actions, such as the improvement of Thessaloniki's wastewater treatment plant, have proved to play a positive role in the reduction of domestic wastewater input in the gulf, whereas similar facilities are completely lacking in FYROM. On the other hand, several parts of the Axios River delta are designated as protected areas, in an effort to protect environmentally rich habitats. These efforts are often disputed by local stakeholders, which have conflicting interests in the use of the hinterland and the coastal environment. The need of an integrated catchment-coastal zone management plan appears as a fundamental priority in order to protect, improve and maintain the environment, taking into account the need for economic development of the area. The DPSIR conceptual framework appears to be a valuable tool, as it enables parallel assessment of socioeconomic and environmental issues. In combination with the application of numerical models, the DPSIR analysis may provide suggestions for sustainable and environmentally-friendly measures to policy makers. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

Abstract: The hydrography, circulation and distribution of particulate matter in Thermaikos Gulf (NW Aegean Sea) are described, for September 2001 and October 2001 and February 2002. The observations were obtained to assess the impact of anthropogenic and natural resuspension processes on the coastal ecosystem. The first two periods represent highly stratified conditions and mild weather conditions; in September trawling is prohibited, whilst the October cruise took place following the commencement of the activity. The sampling in February was undertaken to record the contribution of natural resuspension to the system, in a stormy period. The water circulation was mainly baroclinic during autumn and barotropic in winter; this was due to vertical homogenisation of the water column, during the latter period. The distribution of the bottom nepheloid layer (BNL) was very different in the winter than in the autumn. Microstructure measurements were undertaken, which allowed the vertical eddy diffusivity to be estimated, together with the near-bed shear stresses. Computation of the diffusive flux of particulate matter (PM), from the BNL into the intermediate water column in response to turbulent motions, reveals that the PM flux was much higher in October than in September; this is despite the fact that the friction velocities were similar. This observation could explain partly the observed higher PM concentrations (PMC) in the intermediate layer, in October. Likewise suggest that the higher PMC in October could be attributed to trawling. The limited shear stress and friction velocity values obtained during the September and October cruises were always low; these were possibly capable of resuspending only recently deposited, "fluffy" material. Thus, the observed nepheloid layers are likely to be maintained by advection from the shallow water regions and trawled areas. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: 234Th:238U disequilibria have been used extensively as tracers of particle dynamics in marine environments. 234Th (t 1/2=24.1 days) can be used as "proxy" for particle reactive pollutants, due to their similar rapid rate of scavenging onto particles and subsequent removal from the water column, to the sediments. Radioactive disequilibrium can be exploited to determine the rates and time-scales of processes occurring over days to months; in this instance the residence times of dissolved and particulate species with the benthic nepheloid layer (BNL). Three sampling cruises were undertaken in Thermaikos Gulf (NW Aegean Sea) during contrasting periods, to examine the impact of natural and anthropogenic activity on sediment resuspension. September and October 2001 represented background and trawling periods, respectively; January 2002 represented a mixed period, of trawling and storms. Dissolved 234Th is scavenged actively at the BNL, in the presence of suspended particulate material (SPM), with a mean residence time of 16 days. There is a weak inverse correlation between dissolved 234Th residence time and SPM concentration in the BNL, with the shortest residence times occurring during October 2001. No relationship was observed between particulate 234Th activities and SPM concentrations, indicating that particles are rapidly removed from the system, either by sinking or advection. The mean particulate 234Th residence time is 5 days. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Four cores recovered within the framework of the INTERPOL Project have been analysed for their grain size and geochemistry; sediment accumulation rates (SARs) were also determined from 210Pb and 137Cs profiles. Two cores are representative of the Axios and Aliakmon Rivers depositional environment, whilst the third core represents the Pinios River province; the fourth core represents an environment of outer shelf relict sands. Apparent SARs ranged between 0.667 g cm-2 yr-1 (Axios and Aliakmon Rivers) and 0.414 g cm-2 yr-1 (Pinios River). Trawling activities and biomixing are critical processes that may be responsible for the mixing of the surface sediments, as observed from the excess 210Pb profiles. The thickness of the surface mixed layer was 4.5 cm in the vicinity of Axios and Aliakmon Rivers and in the area of Pinios River, 3.75 cm on the outer shelf and 1 cm in the area where no trawling was observed. Sediment accumulation appeared to be regulated by variations in the riverine discharge, shelf transport pathways and winnowing processes. Major element variations, such as Si, Al, Ti, V and Ni, were dominated by terrigenous supply as aluminosilicate minerals and quartz, whereas most Ca and Sr were biogenic. Si/Al and Ca/Al ratios have been used to express changes in sediment accumulation and winnowing. Redox processes were depicted by Mn, which showed an increase in the depth of its redoxcline, from ?1 cm in inshore stations to ?2 cm on the outer shelf. Si/Al ratios follow the Ca/Al ratios and can be used to assess percentage winnowing in the sediment. Increases in these ratios indicate a decrease in sediment input rates and are seen in the upper parts of most of the cores. Anthropogenic or 'excess' metal contents have been calculated from Zn/V and Pb/V ratios. Their distributions in the cores showed that by far the highest contamination is associated with the Axios River output, whilst sediments influenced by the Pinios River were relatively uncontaminated. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to examine both spatial and temporal changes of particulate major elements and minor metals, as well as dissolved Mn and Cd, in the waters of Thermaikos Gulf. Collections of water and suspended particulate matter (SPM), as depth profiles (5-8 depths), were undertaken at 10 principal stations, essentially on a N-S traverse of the western side of the Gulf. One of the principal aims of the study was to observe if there was any change in the patterning of the elements between the three occupations of the stations: (a) in September 2001, immediately before the commencement of trawling; (b) in October 2001, whilst fishing was active; and (c) in winter/early spring conditions (February 2002), when fishing was still active, but after a change of river/atmospheric conditions. Bottom (?20 m) waters were dominated by sediment resuspension; this was identified by concentration changes in the aluminosilicate elements (e.g. Al, Ti, K, Fe) of the SPM. A two- to three-fold increase occurred between September and October, caused probably by trawling; this was sustained at the offshore stations, in February. During February, the western inshore stations showed little sediment resuspension, caused by extreme winter cooling and the sinking of water. Consequently, a N-S density discontinuity existed at all water depths, which prevented the thermohaline cyclonic circulation from penetrating into the western seaboard of the Gulf. The distribution of dissolved and particulate Mn in the lower waters was due to redox cycling of the element at the benthic boundary; this was more intense in the north, where the organic supply was higher. Biogenic element concentrations and Ca/Al, Si/Al ratios showed no evidence that trawling activity promoted higher biological production. Strong correlations of Co, Cr, Ni and V, with Al and K, showed that these elements were associated strongly with detrital aluminosilicates. However, the variable association of Cd, Pb and Zn, with K (and Al), especially in the upper waters, implied an anthropogenic source derived from the rivers and the city of Thessaloniki. Examination of the Kd's of Cd showed a two-order of magnitude decrease with depth, caused by resuspension and possible advection of relatively unpolluted sediments, into the western Gulf. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Late Quaternary sedimentary cover in the Thermaikos Gulf consists of three seismic Units: (i) the uppermost Unit A that represents delta progradation during the last 6000 yr when the sea surface almost reached the present level (Highstand Systems Tract, HST); (ii) Unit B that includes relatively coarse-grained sediments deposited in a shallow, high-energy, estuarine environment during the post-glacial transgression (Transgressive Systems Tract, TST); and (iii) the lowest Unit C which may represent late glacial prodeltaic deposits and slope to basin turbidites (Lowstand Systems Tract, LST). Seismic units A and B overlay a well-defined unconformity which resulted from sub-aerial erosion during the late glacial sea-level fall. Subtracting the thickness of Unit A from the present bathymetry, the paleo-relief of the Late Holocene times (ca. 6000 yr BP, sea level up to - 20 m) was assessed. Similarly, the paleo-relief ?24 000 yr BP (sea level - 100 to - 120 m) was estimated. The main morphological feature is the incised valley of a major river that resulted from the confluence of the Axios, Aliakmon, Loudias, Gallikos and possibly Pinios Rivers. Sediment fluxes in the NW Aegean Sea were estimated for three time spans of the Late Quaternary (Interval I: 6000 yr BP-present, Interval II: 18 000- 6000 yr BP and Interval III: ?24 000-18 000 yr BP). The terrestrial sediment load supplied by the Axios, Aliakmon, Pinios, and smaller rivers, was estimated at 35.4 × 109 t for Interval I. 93% of this material was deposited on the continental shelf, whereas the remaining 7% was transported to the adjacent basin. The mean annual terrestrial flux was estimated at 5.5 × 106 t yr- 1. During Interval II, more than 79 × 109 t of terrestrial sediment were discharged into the area (terrestrial flux 6.6 × 106 t yr- 1), of which 86% was deposited on the shelf. During Interval III, the terrestrial load was 40.6 × 109 t (terrestrial flux 6.8 × 106 t yr - 1), and sediments were predominantly deposited on the slope and basin. Based on the sediment's carbonate content, the biogenic loads and fluxes were also determined. The biogenic flux during Intervals II and III was found to be ?2.5-times higher than during Interval I. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Inner Thermaikos Gulf is located in the northwestern Aegean Sea, receiving water and sediment fluxes from the Axios, Aliakmon, Gallikos and Loudias Rivers. The geomorphological and sedimentological evolution of the system is reconstructed for the last 150 years (1850-2000), on the basis of detailed analysis of historical bathymetric charts. Late Holocene history is considered within the context of changing riverine sediment supply and human activities. Three evolutionary stages are identified. Stage I (1850-1916) corresponds to a natural phase of rapid deltaic progradation and sea-floor deposition, with an average sediment accumulation rate of 6.5 × 106 m3 a-1. During Stage II (1946-1956), human interference (e.g. artificial changes in river delta plains, realignment of channels and land reclamation schemes) to the deltaic system increased sediment delivery to the coastal waters by a factor of three; this, in turn, enhanced the progradation of the active river mouth areas. In contrast, Stage III (1956-2000) is characterized by significant coastline (deltaic) retreat and erosion of the adjacent sea floor (net loss of 2.5 × 106 m3 a-1); this was as a result of extensive river damming, which trapped a significant part of the sediment moving seaward. Furthermore, these human impacts have affected the character of the surficial sea-bed sediments of the Gulf, by reducing the proportion of mud. The response of the deltaic margin of the Inner Thermaikos Gulf to various anthropogenic interventions seems to be analogous to that of other deltas in the Mediterranean region where large drainage projects, the development of irrigation networks and dam construction have taken place within their river basins.

Abstract: The Aegean Sea is a region of special interest for the Mediterranean oceanographic community, as one of the dense-water formation sites of the Mediterranean, driving its thermohaline circulation. Early oceanographic literature exhibits significantly varying opinions regarding the role of the Aegean as a contributor to the water masses of the eastern Mediterranean. The higher temporal and spatial resolution studies that followed the introduction of Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profilers in the 1980s, revealed that the various scenarios were within the interannual variability of dense water formation in the region. A peak in this variability was the appearance of the Eastern Mediterranean Transient event in the early 1990s. This phenomenon showed that the Aegean Sea has the potential to function as a source of dense water for the eastern Mediterranean; however, it takes over this role only sporadically, depending on the meteorological conditions over the eastern Mediterranean and, possibly, central/eastern Europe. The North Atlantic oscillation appears to be a contributor to this bimodal behaviour. Palaeoceanographic information has confirmed the large sensitivity of the Aegean Sea to climatic variability. Based on the available information, possible scenarios are examined for the response of the Aegean to the current climatic trends. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.

Abstract: The vertical distribution patterns of grain-size parameters, carbonate and organic carbon contents, and clay mineral abundances were examined in ten sediment cores from basins of the northern Aegean Sea. Sedimentation rates for Holocene deposition were determined on the basis of 11 14C datings and indirectly from the age of the lower sapropel S1; they were estimated at 14.9, 18.9-21.8 and 34.7 cm 103 year-1 for the North Skyros, Athos, and North Limnos basins respectively. The sedimentation rates decrease gradually towards the southern basins, as a consequence of the greater distance from sediment supply sources. Also, sedimentation rates appear to decrease from the last glacial to Holocene units. The clay minerals illite, smectite, kaolinite and chlorite were identified in the cores. Generally, illite is the predominant mineral, showing a north-south-decreasing trend, followed by smectite; both minerals have a terrigenous origin, and smectite occurrence is higher in basins located near Limnos Island where volcanic formations prevail. Terrigenous illite is abundant in the sapropel S1, exhibiting the highest content of all sedimentological units. High illite content is unusual in eastern Mediterranean sapropels. This pattern is attributed to the proximity of the N. Aegean Sea basins to Balkan and Turkish land sources. In general, sediment mass gravity flow processes coupled with seasonal deposition from nepheloid layers are the predominant sedimentation mechanisms in the N. Aegean basins. The relative sea-level stand, the proximity to terrigenous sources (rivers), the morphology of the N. Aegean basins (small dimensions, isolated, steep slopes), as well as seismic activity and strong bottom currents are probably the major factors controlling sedimentation in the region. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

Abstract: Respiration and sequestering of organic carbon was investigated in northern Aegean Sea sediments (NE Mediterranean), Benthic total carbonate (C T, also called ?CO2 or dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC) fluxes and O2 uptake rates were measured in situ using a benthic lander. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes were calculated from pore water gradients, taking into account the influence of biodiffusion/bioirrigation. Macrofaunal biomass was determined in the sediment collected by the chambers of the benthic lander. Chl a distributions were used as a tracer of high-quality sedimentary organic carbon. The measured benthic CT fluxes were positively correlated with the O2 uptake rates. The obtained average apparent respiration ratio (CT flux:O2 flux) of 0.90 ± 0.36 suggests a clear dominance of aerobic respiration in these organic carbon-poor shelf sediments. The CT efflux, the O2 uptake rate, and the DOC flux were significantly higher in spring than in fall at 2 of the stations. The Black Sea water, which enters the Aegean Sea in the study area, did not influence benthic respiration rates or organic carbon sequestering rates. A strong positive correlation between both the CT and O 2 fluxes and the mean chl a concentration in surficial sediment suggests that benthic respiration, to a large extent, was controlled by the availability of labile phytodetrital organic matter. There was no influence of macrofaunal biomass (dry weight) on CT fluxes or oxygen uptake rates. The calculated benthic DOC fluxes made up 7.2 to 27% (average 14 ± 8.1%) of the CT fluxes, indicating that their contribution to the overall recycling of organic carbon in these sediments was important. The organic carbon burial efficiency ranged from 0.1 to 5.3%, but at Stn KA1 it was considerably higher (average 4%) than at the other stations (average 0.3%). Except for this station, the obtained burial efficiencies were very low compared to other sediments with similar accumulation rates. The average burial flux of organic carbon corresponded to less than 1% of the annual mean primary production (PP) for the Aegean Sea at Stn KA1, and to less than 0.1% of PP at the other stations.

Abstract: CTD /transmissometer profiles were made on four cruises in the northwest Aegean Sea to study seasonal and spatial distribution patterns of particulate matter (PM). Water samples were filtered to obtain particulate matter concentrations and subsequently to calibrate transmissometer readings. Continental runoff is a major particle source during high river discharge seasons (winter and spring). Resuspended particles predominate in the water column during summer and autumn. Particulate matter distribution patterns consist in well-defined surface, intermediate and bottom nepheloid layers (SNL, INL, and BNL, respectively). The SNL is intense during spring and winter, while it is very weak during summer and autumn. The prevailing wind-driven cyclonic circulation regulates the PM distribution over the shelf, whereas the pycnocline depth controls mainly the vertical PM distribution. The resuspension of modern loosely consolidated sediments, under the forcing of near-bottom currents, forms consistent BNLs over the continental shelf throughout the year. The detachment of these BNLs at the shelf break generates weak INLs, which account for an important shelf-basin transport mechanism during winter and spring. The total particulate standing crop is estimated to be between 484 × 103 and 830 × 103 tons. During summer and autumn, the PM on the shelf results largely from resuspension.

Abstract: The seasonal vertical distribution of particulate matter (PM) was studied in two contrasting areas: (a) the mesotrophic Skagerrak (in the North Sea); and (b) the oligotrophic northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean). Similarities and differences of the PM distribution in the two areas are assessed with respect to the prevailing hydrographic conditions and the PM composition. Hydrographic conditions in both of the areas are characterised by strong density gradients, resulting from the inflow of low-salinity water, i.e. Baltic Sea water and Black Sea water for the Skagerrak and the northeastern Aegean Sea, respectively. Enhanced primary production and particles mainly of biogenic origin characterise the mesotrophic Skagerrak, whereas five-fold lower particle concentrations appeared in the oligotrophic Aegean Sea. The input of riverine particulates was limited in both of the areas. In the Skagerrak, the strong stratification resulted in particle accumulation on/above the pycnocline and the development of pronounced intermediate nepheloid layers (INLs). The pycnocline-related INLs were formed entirely by dinoflagellates. The pycnocline hindered the vertical movement and sinking rates of particles, thus favouring primary production. Particle horizontal advection along the density discontinuities was probably enhanced. This pattern was not observed in the stratified waters of the northeastern Aegean Sea, probably due to the very low particle concentrations and/or the fact that phytoplankton maxima appeared in deeper waters. Pronounced INLs were identified in the Skagerrak below the pycnocline; these are attributed to accumulated or adverted dinoflagellate skeletal remains mixed with clay mineral particles. This was revealed only by means of SEM observations. X-ray diffraction analysis could not provide information on the type of phytoplankton present, because dinoflagellates form their skeletons from organic material. Frontal stations in the northeastern Aegean Sea exhibited pronounced vertical movement of particles towards the deeper waters. Benthic nepheloid layers (BNL) were observed in the Skagerrak; these were related to the resuspended fine-grained surface sediments. In the northeastern Aegean Sea, although near-bottom current velocities were sufficient to resuspend surface sediments, resuspension occurred only episodically. The BNLs here are related mostly to near-bottom phytoplankton growth. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Axios River (Axios R.) receives substantial loads of nutrients, heavy metals and other compounds, resulting from anthropogenic activities within its catchment. Long-term trends in nutrients were assessed. Dissolved and particulate fluxes of nutrients and selected metals to the Thermaikos Gulf were calculated and finally, data evaluation with water and sediment quality criteria was performed. Dissolved nutrient concentrations exhibited intra-annual variations related to the agricultural practices of the drainage area with elevated autumn-winter NO3 concentrations (related to fertilizers applied early spring) and high levels of total phosphorous in the summer attributed to point source pollution. Long-term inter-annual variability showed a 2.5-fold increase in nitrate concentration, coupled with a 3-fold decrease in water discharge. Elevated concentrations of dissolved Pb and As have been observed in the Axios R., and freshwater quality criteria for Pb were exceeded. Stream sediments exhibited high contents for Zn, Cr, Pb, and As, mainly originating in tailings and industrial effluents. On the other hand, a considerable portion of the heavy metals is derived from the weathering of ultra-mafic ophiolite complexes. Similar patterns were observed in the Thermaikos Gulf sediment chemistry; the geochemical signatures of the Axios and Aliakmon Rivers (Aliakmon R.), in respect to their contribution in heavy metals, were identified, as well as the impact of the Thessaloniki city. Quality criteria for both river and marine sediments were violated for As and Cr. Overall, the water and sediment quality of the Axios R. and the Thermaikos Gulf have been impacted by anthropogenic activities in the hinterland. The coastal waters and sediments do not appear to pose any threat to human health and aquatic life, however, the need for regular monitoring is highly recommended. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Volos city and its port are situated in the northern part of Pagassitikos Gulf, a shallow, semi-enclosed marine area in central Greece. A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and pipeline operate in the same area. Muddy sediments with low carbonate contents cover most of the seabed, except for the Volos embayment and the western part of the gulf where sandy carbonates prevail. Bulk organic carbon contents and the organic carbon contents of the clay fractions are high in the vicinity of Volos embayment. High element (Pb, Cu, and Zn) contents and Igeo (geoaccumulation index) values were found for the clay fractions in the northern part of Pagassitikos Gulf. This enrichment is attributed to the discharge of raw domestic and industrial effluents of Volos city and port before the WWTP was installed. The dispersal of pollutants is essentially controlled by diffusion from point sources (city, port and WWTP) and is limited to Volos Bay. Relatively high Mn levels are ascribed to diagenetic formation of manganese carbonates (authigenic phase), whereas Cr and Ni are elevated due to weathering of ultrabasic formations on land.

Abstract: Particulate matter (PM) distribution was studied in the NW Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) over a series of four seasons. PM concentrations in the surface and bottom nepheloid layers exhibit persistent maxima close to the river mouths; the rivers are identified as the major sources of PM. In general, higher particulate matter concentration (PMC) values appear in the shelf of the Thermaikos Gulf, whereas the deep Sporades Basin represents the area of lowest PM concentration. PMC during winter is much higher than in summer. This strong seasonal feature is attributed to the variation of the fresh-water supply, which is maximised during winter and spring, and almost negligible during the dry seasons. PM is mainly transported southwards and preferentially along the western coastline of the study area, due to a well-defined and dominant cyclonic circulation. Lateral transport of the PM prevails, whereas vertical particle transport is relatively limited. BNL formation is mainly attributed to sediment resuspension forced by the near-bottom currents. Surface sediment grain-size distribution is characterised by the presence of relict sands in the central and eastern shelf, while fine-grained muddy sediments cover the western shelf and the Sporades Basin. Relict sands were deposited during the Holocene sea-level rise. The general water mass circulation and the distance from the PM sources seem to favour PM deposition close to the river mouths and along the western coastline, while PM hardly reaches the eastern part of the area. As a result, relict sands remain uncovered or partly mixed with modern fine sediments. The shelf traps most of the PM, while some portion escapes to the deep Basin, probably from the western side of the continental slope. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Cretan Basin can be characterized as a back-arc basin of the Hellenic Trench System, that is related to the subduction zone of the African Plate under the Eurasia Plate. The study area includes the narrow and relatively steep (gradient 1.5°) continental shelf of the island of Crete followed by the steep slope (2°-4°) and the rather flat deeper part of the Cretan basin (water depths > 1700 m). Surficial sediments of the coastal zone are coarser and of terrigenous origin, while in deeper waters finer sediments, of biogenic origin, are more abundant. Sand-sized calcareous sediment accumulations, identified in middle-lower slope, may be attributed to the aggregation of seabed biogenic material related to the near bed current activity. High resolution profiles (3.5 kHz) taken from the inner shelf shows a typical sigmoid-oblique progradational configuration, implying prodelta sediment accumulation during the Holocene. In the upper-middle slope, sub-bottom reflectors indicate continuous sedimentation of alternating fine and/or coarse grained material. Small-scale gravity induced synsedimentary faults appeared, locally. In contrast, a series of gravity induced faults, identified in the lower slope, are associated with sediment instabilities due to seismotectonic activity. Sediment cores taken from the shelf-break consists of calcareous muddy sand with small amounts of terrigenous silt and fine sand, while the cores recovered from the middle slope has revealed a more homogeneous fine sediment texture of hemipelagic deposition. The prevailing accumulation processes in the southern margin of the Cretan basin are: (i) Prodelta deposition in the inner-middle shelf; (ii) settling from bottom nepheloid layers in the shelf and upper slope; (iii) calcareous sediment formation due to settling from suspension and post accumulation aggregation (middle-lower slope); (iv) long-term episodic sediment gravity processes in the lower slope; and (v) to a lesser extent, redeposition from resuspension due to gravity processes and bottom currents. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Abstract: Suspended particulate matter (SPM) patterns in the surface waters of the NW Aegean Sea were studied by (1) determining SPM concentration by water filtration, (2) measuring light transmission, and (3) evaluating satellite images. The SPM signals of the three major rivers discharging into the study area were recorded by all three methods, thereby providing information about the sources, transport pathways, and regional dispersion patterns of the SPM. The filtration of water samples and light transmission measurements were found to be good indicators of SPM concentrations in surface waters. Most of the SPM is composed of terrigenous minerals, thus explaining the correlation between the beam attenuation coefficient and the SPM concentration. A Landsat image obtained for the study period was found to adequately reveal regions with high SPM concentrations. Low concentrations, on the other hand, remain obscured.

Abstract: This work aims at studying the geochemistry and mineralogy of Milos bay surface sediments. The bay forms an enclosed marine area, supplied totally by Volcanic formations. Totally 16 samples were subjected to sedimentological (grain size), mineralogical (microscope examination and X-ray diffraction of the bulk sample and the pelitic fraction), and geochemical analyses (X-ray fluorescence in the pelitic fraction). Also the carbonate content was determined. Sediments were sandy with a high carbonate content (14-58%). The dominant minerals recognized in the pelitic fraction were smectite, kaolinite and illite, followed by chlorite, quartz, calcite, Mg-calcite and feldspars. In general, element concentrations appeared to be within the normal range, except Pb and Zn, which exhibited relatively high values. The Index of Geoaccumulation I(geo) was computed, in order to investigate a possible enrichment of the surface sediments in metals. The analysis revealed again high values of I(geo) class for both Pb and Zn. A careful Study of the area, in relation to the quality of the catchment basins petrology, lead to a non-anthropogenic origin of these high concentrations. The enrichment of the surface sediments in Pb and Zn is attributed to the weathering of several mineral deposits, pyroclastic rocks and lavas, covering almost all Milos vicinity. A study of the geochemical data correlation coefficient matrix revealed three major groups of elements: (i) the elements of detrital origin represented by Si, Al, K and a part of the metals; (ii) the carbonates group; and (iii) a Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides-oxides group, which attracts a part of Pb, Cr and Ni.

Abstract: A suite of 68 surface sediment samples from the South Evvoikos (SEG), North Petation (NPG) and South Petalion (SPG) gulfs was analyzed for grain size, meneralogy, major and minor elements in the bulk sample and the < 2 ?m fraction. Grain size analysis distinguished two sedimentary provinces: 1) SEG with fine grained sediments; and ii) NPG, SPG dominated by relict sandy sediments. Abundants minerals are quartz, feldspars, calcite and Mg-calcite. Heavy minerals identified were epidote, hornblende, zircon and glaucophane. Factor analysis revealed that chemical elements of the total sample are mainly of terrigenous origin, supplied by the Asopos river, which discharges in SEG. The southern part is dominated by residual Si and biogenic components. Metals are generally present in low concentrations. I(geo) index computation for the trace elements indicated relatively high concentrations of Ni and Cr in the SEG are, which are in all probability related to the erosion of laterite formations and ultramatic rocks.

Abstract:

Abstract: The area under investigation is the gulf and the bay of Thessaloniki which comprise the northern part of Thermaikos gulf. During the last years the area is being loaded with heavy metals and organic pollutants coming from industrial and domestic discharges of Thessaloniki city. As a result of the anthropogenic activities, the seabed properties are changed and moreover the marine ecosystem is disturbed. The aim of the study was to determine the environmental impact on the surface sediments so that the extent of heavy metal pollution is quantified and the whole area could be characterized according to the geoaccumulation index (Igeo). For this purpose, thirty three sediment samples were collected from the bay and the gulf of Thessaloniki. The diameter <2 ?m sediment fraction of the samples was analyzed for the heavy metal content (Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Fe and Mn). The geoaccumulation index was then calculated comparing the concentration of the respective elements to that of unpolluted sediments, the so called `background value'. According to the Igeo classification, the bay of Thessaloniki was characterized as moderately polluted to strongly polluted for the metals Zn, Cd, Pb and unpolluted to moderately polluted in Cu, Ni and Cr, while the gulf of Thessaloniki was characterized as an unpolluted to unpolluted to moderately polluted marine area.

Abstract: Evros River is the most important river flowing into the North Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) in terms of freshwater discharge, and the second largest one of Eastern Europe after the Danube River. Salinity and temperature measurements, together with suspended particulate matter concentrations were obtained in various depths at 14 stations in the adjacent Alexandroupolis Gulf during four seasons (June 1998, September 1998, February 1999 and March 2000) in order to investigate the particle dynamics and distributions in the northern Aegean Sea. Analysis of the collected data, together with particle observations under the scanning electron microscope and study of satellite images showed that, under certain circumstances driven by the hydrological and wind regime of the area, the Evros River particulate matter, with the associated pollutants, can be transferred far away from the estuary and implicitly comprise a hazardous factor for the environmental status of the northern Aegean Sea. This fact, combined with the future construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline, may cause a negative impact on the studied natural ecosystem. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.