East Attica Research Articles

Imported Exotica and Mortuary Ritual at Perati in Late Helladic IIIC East Attica

The study of maritime trade in Late Bronze Age Greece often focuses on the analysis of imported exotica, which are usually interpreted as luxury goods used by elites to express or entrench social difference. A contextual analysis of exotica from the 12th-century cemetery at Perati does not support the notion that imports from the Postpalatial Aegean fit such an interpretation. I examine the context, distribution, and characteristics of imported objects at Perati and argue that the cemetery was the setting for a wide-ranging array of mortuary rituals that involved the deposition of exotic objects with members of the community across spectra of wealth, age, and gender. Exotica at Perati, instead of indicating elite strategies or economic exchanges, might best be understood as the residue of diverse mortuary beliefs and rituals operative within a culturally heterogeneous resident community.

Multistage triaxial testing of various rock types: A case study of East Attica Prefecture, Greece

This paper presents the statistical processing of data obtained from multistage triaxial tests of selected rock types from East Attica Prefecture of Greece. Two strength models for the peak and residual strength were fitted to the experimental data, i.e., the Mohr - Coulomb criterion and the Hoek - Brown criterion. The derived strength parameters for these distinct states of stress are compared with findings of other researchers and their dramatic change during the residual state of the rock samples is discussed.

STUDY OF BEACHROCKS IN EAST ATTICA

Sea level indicators, such as tidal notches and beachrocks, may provide valuable information for the relative sea level changes of an area. Beachrocks in particular have received various arguments concerning their use as reliable sea level indicators and their formation environment. This work focuses on the coasts of East Attica in order to trace the palaeoshorelines of the Upper Holocene through the study of beachrocks. The coastal zone was surveyed in detail by snorkelling and diving, in order to locate, map and sample beachrocks. The samples were studied under a SEM, which showed that the beachrocks are mainly composed of quartz grains, a few calcites and feldspars, while the carbonate cement is characterized with the presence of MgO at percentages between 5 and 7.8%. Based on correlations with published drillings in the study area, the studied beachrocks should not be older than 2000 years BP.

Flood risk perception and adaptation capacity: a contribution to the socio-hydrology debate

Abstract. Dealing with flood hazard and risk requires approaches rooted in both natural and social sciences, which provided the nexus for the ongoing debate on socio-hydrology. Various combinations of non-structural and structural flood risk reduction options are available to communities. Focusing on flood risk and the information associated with it, developing risk management plans is required but often overlooks public perception of a threat. The perception of risk varies in many different ways, especially between the authorities and the affected public. It is because of this disconnection that many risk management plans concerning floods have failed in the past. This paper examines the private adaptation capacity and willingness with respect to flooding in two different catchments in Greece prone to multiple flood events during the last 20 years. Two studies (East Attica and Evros) were carried out, comprised of a survey questionnaire of 155 and 157 individuals, from a peri-urban (East Attica) and a rural (Evros) area, respectively, and they focused on those vulnerable to periodic (rural area) and flash floods (peri-urban area). Based on the comparisons drawn from these responses, and identifying key issues to be addressed when flood risk management plans are implemented, improvements are being recommended for the social dimension surrounding such implementation. As such, the paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on human–environment interaction in socio-hydrology.

First Record of Aleurothrixus floccosus (Mask.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in Greece and Some Observations οn its Phenology

Aleurothrixus.floccosus was first found in Greece on citrus trees in several urban areas of East Attica, in May 1991. During the following summer and autumn, all preimaginal instars of the insect were found on sample leaves. Adults were captured on yellow sticky traps throughout this period, until mid-December. During the winter (Dec., Jan.) the majority of the population consisted of third and fourth pre-imaginal instars. For control of A. floccosus, the parasitoid Coles noacki (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was imported into Greece from Spain in late 1991. The introduced populations were successfully multiplied in the insectary.

Late Holocene shorelines in east Attica (Greece)

A coastal and submarine geomorphological investigation took place in the coasts of eastern Attica, aiming to identify palaeoshorelines. Former sea-level positions were deduced from emerged and submerged tidal notches. Eight fossil shorelines were deduced in the study area; two emerged ones at about +24 ± 30 and +40 ± 30 cm, and six submerged ones at about −22 ± 30 (modern), −40 ± 30, −60 ± 30, −80 ± 30, −130 ± 30 and −460 ± 30 cm. It is worth mentioning that a rather different tectonic behavior may be distinguished between the south (AT1-AT5) and the north (AT10-AT28) part of the study area.

Geomorphological mapping of Messogia plain (East Attica, Greece).

This study concerns the geomorphological mapping of the area included in the map sheets Koropi and Plaka of the Hellenic Military Geographical Service map distribution in scale 1:50.000. This is an extensive area of East Attica which presents a complex terrain and a wide variety of landforms, due to its intense tectonism and the natural processes that shaped its morphology. The primary data that were used in the creation of the map mainly included geological and topographic maps, from which thematic layers of the topography, hydrography and geology were constructed through GIS processes. A Digital Elevation Model was also constructed, from which the slope and aspect maps were created. The thematic maps of slοpe and lithology were classified into categories, which were combined to constitute detection criteria of landforms. Decisive contribution in mapping was provided by the available orthophotomaps and aerial photographs, as well as the field work. Finally, with the appropriate combination of colors and symbols the geomorphological map of the study area was produced.

Building change detection through multi-scale GEOBIA approach by integrating deep belief networks with fuzzy ontologies

ABSTRACTMonitoring and mapping urban changes is of great importance for the development, planning and management of the urban zone, especially in countries with a rapidly growing urban area. The aim of this paper was to develop a GEographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) approach, by integrating Deep Learning classification and Fuzzy Ontologies through multi-scale analysis, to monitor building changes in suburban areas of Greece. Three suburban areas of east Attica, Greece were selected as representative to test the methodology. For each area, one QuickBird and one WorldView 2 image, taken in 2006 and 2011, respectively, were employed. Three segmentation levels and a three-level class hierarchy were developed for the extraction process. Deep Belief Networks were employed on the lowest level of the segmentation hierarchy (Level 1) for an initial detection of areas of possible change. To detect the changes in building infrastructure, the classification result of Level 1 was refined based on interpretation rules, developed on the upper levels of the hierarchy (Level 2 and Level 3). Accuracy assessment indicated that 93.5% of the total number of changes were successfully detected, while the commission error was less than 20%.

First report of a phylogenetic analysis of an autochthonous Plasmodium vivax strain isolated from a malaria case in East Attica, Greece

Malaria has become an emerging infection in Greece, which is the doorstep to Europe for thousands of immigrants. With increasing immigration, cases with evidence of domestic transmission (autochthonous) are being reported. In the present study, an isolate of Plasmodium vivax from an autochthonous clinical case was subjected to phylogenetic analysis of the genes encoding the merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1) and the circumsporozoite protein (CSP). In the MSP region, the strain was related with strains from Brazil, South Korea, Turkey and Thailand, whereas in the CSP region, with strains from Brazil, Colombia and New Guinea. The present study establishes for the first time in Greece the basis for the creation of a database comprising genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics of Plasmodium spp.

Malaria in Greece, 1975 to 2010

Malaria, which was endemic in Greece in the past, was officially eliminated in 1974. Since that time and up to 2010, a number of imported cases (ranging from 19 to 76) have been annually reported. The total number of reported laboratory-confirmed cases between 1975 and 2010 was 1,419. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 628 (44%) of these cases, while P. vivax was found in 524 (37%). Of the total cases, 1,123 (79%) were male (ratio males vs. females: 3.78). Age was only available for 490 cases, of which 352 (72%) belonged to the 18-40 year-age group. Of the 382 malaria cases reported from 1999 to 2010 for which the region/country of acquisition was known, 210 (55%) were from Africa and 142 (37%) from Asia. The massive introduction of economic migrants, in the period from 1990 to 1991 and from 2006 onwards, mainly from countries where malaria is endemic, resulted in the appearance of introduced sporadic cases. In Peloponnese, Central and East Macedonia, Thrace and East Attica, mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles (e.g. Anopheles sacharovi, A. superpictus and A. maculipenis) that can act as plasmodia vectors are abundant and during the summer of 2011, 27 P. vivax cases were reported in Greek citizens residing in the agricultural area of Evrotas in Lakonia and without travel history. As further P. vivax malaria cases occurred in the Lakonia and East Attica areas in 2012, it is becoming urgent to strengthen surveillance and perform integrated mosquito control that will help eliminate the potential risk of malaria reintroduction and reestablishment.

Linking the actors and policies throughout the disaster management cycle by "Agreement on Objectives" – a new output-oriented management approach

Abstract. Current management of disaster risks is often fragmented due to a lack of coordination between involved actors, i.e. civil protection and spatial planning – a phenomenon which is known as the "problem of interplay". This paper presents an output-oriented risk management approach ("parametric governance"). Here, the modality of the achievement of objectives remains in the hands of the given addressees. This implies a shift from a top-down to a more collaborative, process-oriented form of decision-making. The approach has been successfully applied in two hazard cases and three administrative contexts: (a) the City of Dortmund (Germany) facing flash floods, (b) East Attica region (Greece) facing forest fires, and (c) Lazio Region (Italy) also facing forest fires. As proved by the applications of the concept, a dialogue among experts, stakeholders, and decision-makers is indispensable in order to guarantee inclusion of all diverse and competing values, opinions, and claims. Moreover, a structured communication path is needed to meet the requirements of a risk governance process. Finally, a win-win-situation among the involved actors has to be created to reach an agreement on common goals and actions to achieve them in due time.

Diagnosis of stream sediment quality and assessment of toxic element contamination sources in East Attica, Greece

Diagnosis of stream sediment quality, multivariate statistics and GIS database proved successful tools for assessing As, Cr and other potentially toxic element contamination in East Attica region. Stream sediments are mixtures of sediments, soils and rocks from the drainage basin upstream of the collection site. Stream sediment quality can be used as initial condition in reaction progress calculations to predict the groundwater quality. The type of methodology used in this study consists of chemical analysis, pH evaluation, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope analysis, cumulative probability plots, factor analysis, GIS database and comparison of the sediment contents with quality standards and levels recorded in the literature and quantification of sediment contamination. Relationships between various elements have been identified from factor analysis and reflect genetic associations. A GIS elaboration showed the spatial relationship between high positive factor scores and presence of ore deposits and anthropogenic contamination. There is both natural and anthropogenic input of As in East Attica streams. High Cr and Ni contents in East Attica stream sediments constitute a natural case of contamination. The contamination degree in East Attica streams follows the order: Keratea-Lavrio > Keratea-Artemis > Rafina > Erasinos.

Using fuzzy cellular automata to access and simulate urban growth

In this paper we present a methodological framework designed to access urban growth dynamics and simulate urban growth. To do so, it utilizes the descriptive power of Fuzzy Logic and Fuzzy Algebra to map the effects of various parameters to the urban growth phenomenon and express them in comprehensible terms. Sensitive Sum, a new fuzzy operator is proposed to employ a parallel connection between the effects of separate variables while taking into account the (statistical) correlation between them. As a result, the model implements a reducible/extensible form of Knowledge Base which can include both data-driven and empirical rules and does not require certain variables/data to run. In order to simulate urban growth Cellular Automata techniques are incorporated that are enhanced by pseudo-agent behavior. The proposed model is applied in the broader Mesogia area in east Attica (Athens, Greece) for the period 2000–2007 during which urban land cover grew by 66% and appears to capture the urban growth dynamics occurred in a satisfactory way.

Factors Attributed to Fatal Occupational Accidents in a Period of 5 Years Preceding the Athens 2004 Olympic Games

This study aimed to determine the factors attributed to occupational fatalities occurring in the region of East Attica, Greece, in all industry types over a 5-year period preceding the 2004 Olympic Games. Questionnaires, based on the attribution theory, were completed by labor inspectors and were analyzed with principal component analysis. The results showed that most accidents occurred in the construction industry due to large-scale civil works, which took place in East Attica prior to the 2004 Olympic Games. Poor work practices arising from lack of orientation and job training, performance pressure and workers’ inexperience associated with knowledge- and skill-based errors were revealed by the questionnaire as the most common factors attributed to occupational fatalities. Our findings help to identify areas where prevention efforts should be directed to effectively manage safety in Greece.

Groundwater quality in Mesogea basin in eastern Attica (Greece)

AbstractStudies on the hydrogeological conditions of the Mesogea basin in east Attica reveal that the aquifers developed on the post‐alpine formations at the inner part of the coastal brackish zone exhibit positive hydraulic head. These Neogene and Quaternary deposits present high salt concentrations. Selected points were sampled (total 85: 51 wells and 34 boreholes) in order to obtain hydrogeological and hydrochemical data for a better understanding of the structure, operation and dynamics of the aquifer of the area. Statistical methods, R‐mode factor analysis and scatter‐plot diagrams were used for the hydrochemical analysis and presentation of the data. The groundwater resources are relatively weak and there is significant quality degradation due to the geological structure of the greater area, as well as the bad management of the aquifer and anthropogenic activities. Groundwater is characterized by high salt concentrations. Electrical conductivity values range between 260 and 6970 µS cm−1. High salt concentrations at the coastal aquifers are due to sea intrusion, whereas they are attributed to the dissolution of minerals of the geological environment in the inland area. The groundwaters of the study area can be classified into five water types: Ca–HCO3, Mg–HCO3, Na–HCO3, Na–Cl and Mg–Cl. They are saturated in dolomite and calcite, whereas they are unsaturated in anhydrite. High ion concentrations, e.g. $\hbox{NO}_{3}^{-}$] (0‐221 mg l−1), $\hbox{NH}_{4}^{+}$] (0·01‐1·88 mg l−1), $\hbox{PO}_{4}^{3-}$] (0·01‐6·75 mg l−1), as well as high heavy metals concentrations are attributed to anthropogenic impacts. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MCDM for location and evaluation of waste disposal facilities in metropolitan areas: the case of East Attica

The focus of the present work is on the development of a multiple criteria methodological framework for the evaluation of alternative sites of waste treatment facilities which will support the decision making process and has been implemented in the study region of the Prefecture of East Attica, Greater Athens area, Greece. Two sets of criteria have been developed: the first set was used for the elimination of the less appropriate areas while the second for the evaluation of the prevailing alternatives. The overall results suggest that the methodology developed proved to be a robust tool for the evaluation of alternative sites.

Η συμβολή των γεωμορφολογικών χαρακτηριστικών του υδρογραφικού δικτύου του Μεγάλου Ρέματος Ραφήνας και οι ανθρωπογενείς παρεμβάσεις στην εκδήλωση πλημμύρων.

In this study an investigation is carried out of the physical - geomorphological parameters of Mégalo Rema drainage network, located in Rafina (east Attica) as well as human induced factors considered to be responsible for flood events in the broader area of the lower reaches of the river. For this purpose quantitative geomorphological characteristics of the Mégalo Rema drainage network were estimated and analyzed. Additionally, the human interference in the channels of the lower drainage network streams as well as the diachronic urban development within the Rafina drainage basin is determined. Among the most important geomorphological flood event causes are the hierarchical draining of stream orders, the high channel gradients in the upper reaches of the tributaries and especially that of Ag. Paraskevi, the burning of significant parts of the pine forests and the narrowing or complete artificial filling of some channels.

Geomorphic and morphotectonic observations in the drainage network of Kakotopia Stream, North East Attica, Greece

The Kakotopia stream, located in north-east Attica, flows north into the South Euboic gulf. The drainage basin of Kakotopia is composed of schists, marbles and fluviotorrential deposits. The contact between the marbles and schist system in most cases is tectonic defined by several fault surfaces; in other instances, the contact is transitional. There are numerous neotectonic faults in the region, having a prevailing SE-NW direction, which form small tectonic horsts and grabens, usually filled with recent deposits. An asymmetric anticlinal structure is also observed plunging towards the SW. A large part of the lower reaches of the drainage system of Kakotopia stream is most probably missing. This is owed to the presence of major faults having an ESE-WNW direction parallel to today's coastline. The creation of the South Euboic gulf depression during the Quaternary is attributed to the presence of these faults. The upper section of the drainage system is controlled to a great extent by the tectonic activity of the area. In this part, we observe the phenomenon of stream piracy which is owed not only to fault tectonism but also to the differential erosion rates of the marbles and the schists.

Coastal retreat in the plain of Marathon (East Attica), Greece: cause and effects

The drainage network of Inois River is located in East Attica. The river has formed a deltaic fan on which two main distributories are observed: the older western channel (Sehri Rema) and the younger castern one (Kenourio Rema). The purpose of this paper is to study the recent evolution of Inois River on its deltaic fan, the changes that have taken place and the problems that have been created in property loss in the coastal environment near the mouth of Inois River in the last decades. The construction of Marathon dam in the 1920's resulted in a retreat of the coastline near the mouth of Kenourio Rema and this process is still going on today. The dam prevents the transportation and deposition of sediments to the lower reaches of the drainage system of Inois River and results in the silting up of the artificial lake of Marathon. Following comparative observations of aiгphotos of various years (1938-1988) а retreat of the coastline of the order of I m/year is observed in this area. The loss of land has created great concern to property owners who have appealed to local administrative bodies to no avail. Various crude defensive structures constructed from time to time provide no solution to the problem of coastal erosion. If the anticipated rapid sea-level rise of the near future is confirmed, then the retreat of the coastline in this area is expected to accelerate in the coming decades and create even more serious problems to the coastal environment.

Solon's ‘Price-Equalisation’

In his article entitled ‘Solon and the Megarian Question’ (JHSlxxvii) Mr A. French has given a valuable exposition of Solon's economic reforms in their relation to the strategic necessities of Athenian overseas trade. This, however, leads him to an assessment of the statesman's policy which it is rather difficult to accept, conflicting as it does both with tradition and the general probabilities of the situation. Further, it is partly based on an interpretation of a passage in Plutarch which is, I think, mistaken and indeed impossible, although it has been adopted by most authorities. Mr French's argument may be summarised as follows:(1) In the pre-Solonian era the sea route to South Attica and Phaleron, still more to Mounychia, was dominated by a hostile Megara owing to her control of Salamis; hence only the ports of East Attica were available for overseas trade in bulk cargoes. Early imports of grain and timber would have been from Thessaly, for which these ports were particularly convenient.(2) However, increasing population and the decline in soil fertility made it desirable to import wheat in large quantities from the Black Sea; this would necessitate delivery at a port nearer the city and therefore control of Salamis to prevent Megarian interference on top of the other considerable hazards of the Black Sea voyage. It would also necessitate a high price which, though in accordance with the internal agricultural conditions, would diminish the advantages of the additional external supplies to the impoverished population of Attica. The Athenian government must either embark on a naval programme, and fight Megara for Salamis, or use less grain, which meant limiting the population.