Elemental analysis of water and sediments by external beam PIXE part 1. Vegoritis Lake, Greece

Summarization: Lake Vegoritis, in the northwestern part of Greece, accepts the pollutants of the municipal and industrial activities in the area (lignite burning power plants and a nitrogen fertilizer factory). The PIXE external beam technique was used for the elemental analysis of water and sediment samples in order to determine the load of metals in the lake and obtain information for managing its environment. From our results it is deduced that the anthropogenic activities in the drainage basin do not have so far any significant impact on the Vegoritis Lake, as far as the elements studied are concerned. However, there is indication that other pollutants are introduced, mainly along the Solou stream, which cause precipitation of the metals.Presented on: Chemistry and Ecolog

Elemental analysis of water and sediments by external beam PIXE part 4. Aliakmon River, Greece

Summarization: The Aliakmon River originates in the North Western part of Greece, traverses the Western part of Macedonia, and discharges into the Thermaikos Bay in the North Aegean Sea. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the determination of the metallic elements in the waters and sediments of the Aliakmon River. the pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and total phosphate and nitrate concentrations were also monitored in the water samples. Data collected for a 20-month period indicate that the Aliakmon River can be still considered as an unpolluted river.Presented on: Chemistry and Ecolog

Elemental analysis of water and sediments by external beam PIXE part 3: Axios (Vardar) River, Greece

Summarization: The Axios (Vardar) River originates from the south west part of Yugoslavia, transverses Greece, and discharges into the Thermaikos bay in the north Aegean Sea. The proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method with external beam was used for the elemental analysis of water and sediment samples, while measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen content, conductivity, pH, and the water flow were made in situ. Water samples were also analysed for total phosphates, nitrates, chlorophyll, and BOD. The data collected for a 16-month period indicate that the Axios River is polluted as far as the metal content is concerned; its primary productivity is low and it is slightly enriched during its course into the Greek territory.Presented on: Chemistry and Ecolog

Elemental analysis of water and sediments by external beam PIXE part 2. Industrial zone of Ptolemais, Greece

Summarization: In the industrial zone of Ptolemais, Greece there are two coal-fired power plants, one nitrogen-fertilizer producing plant and a factory making coal-bricks. The industrial and the municipal waste effluents of this area are discharged into the lake Vegoritis via a small stream named Solou. Water and core or grab sediment samples taken from the Solou stream and Vegoritis Lake were analyzed for metallic elements by the proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method and the different pollution sources of the area under study, as far as metal pollution is concerned, were tentatively identified. The communities contribute to the pollution with loads of Pb and Ni; Ca, Cr, and Mo are contributed mainly by industries, while Fe, Zn, Mn, Sr, and Br have their origin to both sources. Also the sediment enrichment factors (SEF) are calculated and discussed.Presented on: Chemistry and Ecolog