Chemical and Physical Characteristics in Uncultivated Soils with Different Lithology in Semiarid Mediterranean Clima

The aim of this study is to identify the chemical and physical characteristics in uncultivated soils derived from different parent materials under semiarid Mediterranean climatic conditions which favoured the formation of fragile soils. The current work is of great interest in the agriculture and environmental stakeholders for providing a “benchmark” of undisturbed soil quality regarding organic content and nutrients availability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used as the primary tool to demonstrate the soil quality stage, regarding nutrient availability. The statistical analysis revealed that one of the major physicochemical characteristics such as cation exchange capacity (CEC) is controlled exclusively from mineralogy and not from organic matter. Mineralogy and bulk chemical analysis is directly related to soil parent material lithology. The availability of inorganic nutrients (macro- and micronutrients) is low and relatively identical to most of the soils. PCA shows the unusual correlation of K+ with not only illite content but also the OM in soils. The development of soils which are already of low quality in respect of organic content and nutrients is evident in Crete in most of the 54 samples investigated

A novel use of the caesium-137 technique to estimate human interference and historical water level in a Mediterranean Temporary Pond

Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικόSummarization: The sustainability of, and the effects of human pressures on, Omalos Mediterranean Temporary Pond (MTP), Chanea, Greece was assessed. The 137Cs technique was used to identify alleged anthropogenic interference (excavation) in the studied area. It was found that about one third of the ponds bed surface material had been removed and disposed of on the northeast edge, confirming unplanned excavations that took place in the MTP area some years ago. Nonetheless, five years after the excavation, the MTP's ecosystem (flora and fauna) had recovered, which indicates that these small ecosystems are resilient to direct human pressures, like excavations. Moreover, with the 137Cs technique it was possible to identify the historical water level of Omalos MTP, when the fallout from the Chernobyl accident reached this area, in May of 1986. Therefore, the 137Cs technique can be useful in the identification of the historical water level of small MTPs and other ephemeral water bodies. Applications include the verification and validation of hydrological models.Presented on: Journal of Environmental Radioactivit

Incipient Salinization: A Case Study of the Spring of Asclepieion in Lentas (Ancient Lebena), Crete

Sanctuaries devoted to Asclepius were established and operated for almost a thousand years in various Greek and Roman cities throughout the Mediterranean region. The Asclepieion sanctuary in Lentas (formerly known as Ancient Lebena) in Crete was famous for receiving water from a sacred spring. In Ancient Lebena, Levinaion was a famous centre for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and a psychiatric hospital. In the present paper, we aim to assess the hydrochemical status of this sacred spring that holds a prominent position in archaeological and historical studies. The main objectives of this study are: Initially, to present supervisory evidence (archaeological, geological, hydrochemical) of an area that was a water resource management model for many centuries, carrying out therapeutic work. The second objective is to present and compare hydrochemical data in the last century, i.e., from 1915 to 2021. The third objective is to highlight and warn of an incipient saltwater intrusion in the area along the Lentas coast. The fourth objective is to propose an alternative and sustainable form of water resources management in the region that requires the study and rational utilization of the sporadic small water springs in the region. Our study focuses on a basic hydrochemical analysis of spring and borehole water in the remains of Levinaion in the Lentas region, and their comparison with sparse historical data of the sacred spring water, aiming to interpret the impact of the changes in the spring water resources that occurred in recent decades due to urban modernization. Our results highlight (i) visible fluctuations in chemical composition of borehole water samples; (ii) a neutral to alkaline pH in borehole waters and an alkaline pH in spring waters; (iii) undetectable arsenic in Lentas borehole water, unlike historical data of Lentas spring water; (iv) low values of dissolved radon in Lentas borehole water and the spring water of Kefalovrysa; and (v) a timeless constant and hypothermic nature of the water of both the sacred spring and borehole of Lentas, and also of the Kefalovrysa spring. The recorded historical data, i.e., from 1915 to 1957, due to the absence of substantial anthropogenic activity in the area, can be used as reference values (natural background levels, NBLs) for the Lentas area. Our findings emerge with the need to bring again the flowing spring water of the sacred spring of Lentas in its original form through sustainable management and re-discover its beneficial therapeutical effects

The Geomorphological and Geological Structure of the Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece—Geological Models Comprehensive Review and the Link with the Geomorphological Evolution

The Samaria Gorge is a dominant geomorphological and geological structure on Crete Island and it is one of the national parks established in Greece. Due to the complex tectonics and the stratigraphic ambiguities imprinted in the geological formations of the area, a comprehensive review of the geological models referring to the geological evolution of the area is essential in order to clarify its geomorphological evolution. In particular, the study area is geologically structured by the Gigilos formation, the Plattenkalk series and the Trypali unit. Regarding lithology, the Gigilos formation predominantly includes phyllites and slates, while the Plattenkalk series and the Trypali unit are mainly structured by metacarbonate rocks; the Plattenkalk series metacarbonate rocks include cherts, while the corresponding ones of the Trypali unit do not. Furthermore, the wider region was subjected to compressional tectonics, resulting in folding occurrences and intense faulting, accompanied by high dip angles of the formations, causing similar differentiations in the relief. Significant lithological differentiations are documented among them, which are further analyzed in relation to stratigraphy, the tectonics, and the erosion rate that changes, due to differentiations of the lithological composition. In addition, the existing hydrological conditions are decisive for further geomorphological evolution

The Contribution of Geological Maps and Mapping to Industrial Scale Design

The aim of this work is to highlight the contribution of geological maps and mapping to industrial scale design. To achieve this goal, the site selection of a new quarry area is used as an example. For the development of a new quarry, the materials to be mined must meet specific requirements, mainly acceptable quality, adequate reserves, environmental restrictions, and economic viability. Geological maps of various scales were used in all stages of this research project. Initially, geological surveillance maps (1:50,000), which formed the basis for the sampling, were used. Finally, this research project was completed with the detailed mapping of two candidate areas for the development of the new quarry

The Smallest “Miner” of the Animal Kingdom and Its Importance for Raw Materials Exploitation

The mining industry is the leading supplier of raw materials in modern society. This sector of human activity has experienced a severe crisis due to the energy transition and has been revived in recent years due to the need for critical metals that are essential in the post-coal era. In underground and open pit mining, processes such as extraction, transportation, safety, underground ventilation, waste management, and rehabilitation are of major importance, and their “design” is critical to the economic survival of the mine. All the above processes required to operate a mine are strongly reminiscent of an example of nature’s workman: the ant. The sympatric insect uses the same processes as the ones aforementioned during the creation of its nest. The ants dig to “extract material from the ground”, and they transport this material from the nest‘s site to the waste deposition location. The ants ensure the safety of the underground opening and the proper ventilation needed for them to live there for a long time. This article attempts to identify the relations between all the above processes and sub-processes, and how human mining and ant colony development correlate with each other. Furthermore, we examine how an ant colony has aided in the development of mining technology, and what more humans can learn and adopt from a “miner” that is 66 million years old, in order to improve their processes

Distribution of Radon Concentrations in Active and Inactive Underground Mines: A Literature Review

Radon (Rn), a natural colorless, odorless, noble radioactive gas, with a half-life of 3.8 days, is an important source of natural ionizing radiation. It originates from the initial concentrations of uranium and its transmuted daughters in rocks, soil, and finally, waters and tends to be concentrated in closed spaces such as underground mines. The concentration of radon in mines contributes significantly to the increase in the dose of ionizing radiation received by humans visiting, accessing, working in these areas. The comparison of radon concentration in active and inactive mining sites, its effect on human health, and the different concentrations’ upper limits, applicable by state, are discussed in this paper

Η αποτύπωση της εξελικτικής γεωλογικής σκέψης σε γεωλογικούς χάρτες

Περίληψη: Πέρα από τα κείμενα των επιστημονικών πραγματειών οι χάρτες, ιδιαίτερα στον χώρο των γεωεπιστημών, αποτέλεσαν και αποτελούν ένα πολύ χρήσιμο “εργαλείο” περιήγησης αποτυπωμένων εξελικτικών απόψεων και ιδεών. Μια αναδρομή και επιλεκτική περιήγη- ση σε ιστορικούς αλλά και σύγχρονους γεωλογικούς χάρτες που περιέχουν αποτυπωμένες απόψεις σταθμούς, όπως αυτές εκφράστηκαν με την μορφή θεωριών και επέδρασαν για δεκαετίες στο τρόπο σκέψης αλλά και προσέγγισης των πολύπλοκων γεωλογικών φαινο- μένων για χιλιάδες γεωεπιστήμονες, θα αποτελέσει μεγάλη βοήθεια στην κατανόηση της εξελικτικής πορείας της γεωλογικής σκέψης. Ξεκινώντας την ιστορική αναδρομή με πα- ραδείγματα από τον ευρωπαϊκό - παγκόσμιο χώρο θα επικεντρωθεί τελικά η εργασία αυ- τή σε παραδείγματα από τον ελληνικό χώρο.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: 11ο Εθνικό Συνέδριο Χαρτογραφίας - Η χαρτογραφία του Ελληνικού Κράτου

Η συμβολή του ασβέστου στην αντιμετώπιση περιβαλλοντικών προβλημάτων

Περίληψη: Η άσβεστος είναι ένα προϊόν με πάρα πολλές χρήσεις. Οι κυριότερες περιλαμβάνουν τη χρήση ασβέστου στη μεταλλουργία, στην παραγωγή χαρτιού, γυαλιού, χρωμάτων και ζάχαρης, στον κλά- δο των κατασκευών και σε περιβαλλοντικές εφαρμογές. Στην εργασία αυτή γίνεται περιγραφή των σημαντικότερων χρήσεων της ασβέστου σε διεργασίες σχετικές με την προστασία του περιβάλλο- ντος. Το περιβάλλον αποτελεί τον τομέα διάθεσης των προϊόντων της βιομηχανίας παραγωγής α- σβέστου με τις πιο σημαντικές προοπτικές ανάπτυξης. Η επεξεργασία του πόσιμου νερού, η επε- ξεργασία των αστικών λυμάτων, η συμβολή στην εξουδετέρωση όξινων απορροών και η αποθείωση των καπναερίων αποτελούν τις κυριότερες περιβαλλοντικές εφαρμογές της ασβέστου. Εκτιμάται πως η ολοένα αυξανόμενη ζήτηση προϊόντων και τεχνολογιών φιλικών προς το περιβάλ- λον την επόμενη δεκαετία, θα έχει ως συνέπεια την αύξηση της παραγωγής της ασβέστου, ιδιαίτερα μετά και από την εφαρμογή των διαφόρων νομοθεσιών για το περιβάλλον τόσο σε εθνικό, όσο και σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: 10th International Congres

Tectonic structure and fabric development of the Plattenkalk unit around the Samaria gorge, Western Crete, Greece

Summarization: The Plattenkalk area around the Samaria gorge,western Crete, has been investigated by structural analysis and studies of microfabrics. The study area is dominated by a large-scale anticline striking to the NNE. All fracture systems observed correspond to that structure.In the northwestern limb of the anticline tectonic structures at mesoand micro-scales testify to movements top-to-theESE, while in the southeastern limb an opposite shear sense is documented. The morphologies and geometries of these structures clearly indicate flexural-slip folding. Within the Plattenkalk sequence bedding-parallel low-strain domains with no, or only weak, indications of shortening alternate with high-strain domains showing intense compressional deformation. Ductile deformation is restricted to discrete shear zones in the northwestern limb only, but from N to S meso- and micro-scale structures exhibit a conspicuous transition from ductile to brittle deformation. With respect to the calcite twin types observed, furthermore to the presence of cataclastic quartz fabrics and the absence of matrix coarsening in the majority of meta-cherts,metamorphism temperatures did nowhere exceed 300 °C and have even decreased from N to S.All features of tectonic deformation and metamorphism have developed within the same tectonic phase,i.e.during the late Early Miocene.The tectonic structures and fabrics probably originated autochthonously, within the foreland of an orogenic belt. Our observations fit in well with illite crystallinity measurements in all Plattenkalk areas of Crete (SOUJON & JACOBSHAGEN 2001) showing that on the whole island the temperatures of metamorphism have decreased from N to S. For the Plattenkalk of the southern Peloponnesus, an analogous trend had already been found by MANUTSOGLU (1990). All these features seem to reflect the mid-Tertiary subduction of the Plattenkalk platform beneath the Hellenic Arc.Presented on: Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft f�r Geowissenschaften ZDG