Waters Of Greece Research Articles

Determination of trace elements in bottled water in Greece by instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analyses

Four different bottled water brands sold in Greece in the winter of 2001-2002 were analyzed for a wide range of chemical elements, using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The elements Na and Br were determined instrumentally (INAA), whereas the other metals and trace elements radiochemically (RNAA). The results indicated that the mean level of all the elements determined in the samples were well within the European Union (EU) directive on drinking water and accomplish the drinking water standards of the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

PFGE analysis of enterococci isolates from recreational and drinking water in Greece

Biotyping and DNA fingerprinting by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were applied to a collection of enterococci recovered from recreational and drinking water, in order to identify possible genetic relationships. Clinical strains of hospital origin were compared to the environmental isolates. A total of 104 enterococci were isolated from 128 recreational water (94 marine and 34 river water) and 470 drinking water supplies (440 municipal and 30 natural spring water samples). Sixty-two isolates were characterised as Enterococcus faecium recovered from all sources, 32 E. faecalis (from all sources), 4 E. durans (from marine, river and municipal water), 4 E. gallinarum (from marine water) and 2 E. avium (from marine and municipal water). Biotypes, determined with API20Strep, among E. faecium were correlated with certain environmental sources, while antibiotypes, determined with Etest, did not reveal any relationship to the sample origin. Even though genetic diversity was observed among the studied strains, common clonal types were also identified in different sources, suggesting a possible common origin of the enterococci. Cluster analysis revealed a genetic relationship between certain environmental E. faecium and clinical strains.

Evaluation of microbiological quality of coastal waters in Greece

To evaluate the microbiological water quality of bathing sites along the Achaia coastline (south western Greece), a survey was conducted to determine the concentration of faecal bacterial and phage indicators as well as the presence of human viruses. Seawater samples (234) were collected from nine bathing sites on the Achaia coastline and were analysed for the presence of: total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, Escherichia coli, somatic coliphages, F-RNA bacteriophages, bacteriophages infecting Bacteroides fragilis, enteroviruses, adenoviruses and hepatitis A viruses. Most of the bacteriological analysis results were in accordance with the European Union standards. In all sites, bacteriophages were detected occasionally. Enteroviruses and adenoviruses were detected in 24 samples (10.26%) and 37 samples (15.81%) respectively. No samples were positive for the presence of hepatitis A virus. The overall data indicates that bathing sites are impacted by human faecal material. Both bacterial indicators and phages have low predictive capability for the presence of human viruses in coastal waters. None of the environmental parameters analysed was strongly related to the presence of the indicator organisms and viruses. Appropriate and effective administrative measures that should be taken into account may be considered in order to improve water quality and reduce public health risk.

On the genus Typhlocypris Vejdovský, 1882 (Crustacea: Ostracoda: Candoninae), with description of two new species

In the present paperthe genus Typhlocypris Vejdovský, 1882 is divided into two subgenera: Typhlocypris Vejdovský, 1882 and Pseudocandona Kaufmann, 1900. This division is made on the following characteristics: the morphology of the male antenna; the number of setae in the group on the second segment of the mandibular palp; and the morphology of the third thoracopod. The nominate subgenus is further divided into the following four species‐groups: eremita, caribbeana, rostrata and prespica. The formerzschokkei‐group is incorporated into the eremita‐group, which now has a total often Recent species and includes Typhlocypris (T.) pescei sp. nov. and T. (T.) skadari sp. nov., both described in the present paper. The new species were collected in subterranean waters of Greece and Montenegro respectively. Typhlocypris (T.) illiesi (McKenzie, 1971) is assigned to the eremita‐group and some additional description of this species is provided following examination of its type material. Pseudocandona serbani Danielopol, 1978 and Candona szoecsi Farkas, 1958 are synonymized with Typhlocypris (T.) eremita, the first one after rechecking its type material and the second one after finding a great variability in some populations. Fourteen species are added to the caribbeana‐group, which now includes 18 Recent species. One of its representatives, Typhlocypris (T.) cf. geratsi (Broodbakker, 1983), is recorded for the first time in Australia and a detailed description of the female is given. Typhlocypris (T.) marimotoi (McKenzie, 1972) is assigned to the rostrata‐group and some additional details of its morphology are given here after rechecking its type material. The rostrata‐group now has six Recent species. Typhlocypris (T.) prespica (Petkovski, 1959) remains the only representative of the prespica‐group. The subgenus Pseudocandona has six Recent species, all previously belonging to the compressa‐group. Males of T. (Pseudocandona) albicans (Brady, 1864), only rarely recorded by previous authors, were collected in Greece and are described in this paper. The same species is reported from Australia and Candona inexpecta Chapman, 1963, described from New Zealand, is synonymized with T. (P.) albicans after rechecking its type material. The present paper further contains a key to the subgenus Pseudocandona and all, except caribbeana, groups of the nominal genus. The taxonomy and zoogeography of the genus and its relation to the other Candoninae genera are also discussed.

Comparison of Several Toxicity Tests Applied to Complex Wastewaters and Mussel Biomarkers in Receiving Waters*

In this study, the complex wastewaters/effluents discharged to coastal regions of Turkey and Greece were sampled, and various toxicity tests were applied. The bioassays used included the assessment of the luminescence inhibition of the bacterium Vibrio fisheri, the photosynthesis inhibition (14C uptake rate) and growth inhibition of the algal species Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and the mortality of the crustacean Artemia franciscana and rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Additionally, “neutral red retention” and “filtration rate” sublethal biomarker techniques were performed by utilizing the mussel species Mytilus galloproviancialis, inhabiting the points of discharges in Turkey. All discharges tested were found to be acutely toxic to P. tricornutum and slightly toxic to V. fisheri, A. franciscana, and B. plicatilis. Test results showed that the 14C uptake rate toxicity test was the most sensitive one among the other bioassays. The biomarker results showed that the health status of mussels in the coastal areas decreased significantly, indicating the pollution of the receiving waters in Turkey. The conclusions drawn highlight the necessity for an intesive ecotoxicological monitoring scheme that will incorporate the most suitable bioassays and biomarkers to adequately contribute to the upgrading and maintenance of the ecological quality of the coastal waters in Greece and in Turkey. *Presented as an invited plenary lecture at “The 2nd Asian International Conference on Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety” (SECOTOX 2004), Songkla, Thailand, 26–29 September 2004.

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy of Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) farmed in fresh water in Greece.

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy of Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) farmed in fresh water in Greece.

Greek Lakes: Limnological overview

AbstractThe Institute of Inland Waters in Greece has investigated the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of major Greek lakes, with regard to water use, quality and trophic status. Based on this and other limnological investigations, Greek lakes can be divided into three categories: warm monomictic deep lakes, warm monomictic shallow lakes, and dimictic shallow lakes. The water quality of some Greek lakes demonstrates the presence of high concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals, with reduced concentrations of diluted oxygen. High concentrations of ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are found in many lakes, while anaerobic hypolimnia are usually found in shallow lakes. Phosphorus is the main nutrient responsible for eutrophication because it is the limiting factor in most of the lakes that were investigated.

Variations and Trends in Annual and Seasonal Means of Precipitable Water in Greece as Deduced from Radiosonde Measurements

Precipitable water (W), defined as the total amount of water vapor in the zenith direction between the surface of the earth and the top of the atmosphere, is a critical variable for climate studies. Variations and trends of precipitable water values time series at Hellinicon Station (37 540 N, 23 440 E) in Athens, Greece are examined (00:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC radiosondes) for the time period 1967–1995. Time series were examined using regression analysis and the Mann-Kendall Rank Statistic Test. For 00:00 UTC, an annual downward trend is detected for the period 1977–1995; in addition 1977 is the approximate year, according to the sequential version of the Mann-Kendall Rank Statistic, when the decrease of the annual and seasonal mean precipitable water starts. For 12:00 UTC no statistically significant annual trend is detected, whereas a statistically significant downward trend for winter, spring and summer for the period 1977–1983, 1976–1982 and 1976–1985 respectively is recognized.

The occurrence of trihalomethanes in the drinking water in Greece

This paper summarizes and completes an investigation into the occurrence of trihalomethanes (THMs) in public water supplies in Greece. The investigation was conducted in three cities of Greece, Athens, Mytilene and Chalkida, from 1993 to 1998. Samples were collected from three treatment plants of Athens (Galatsi Treatment Plant – GTP, Menidi Treatment Plant – MTP, Kiourka Treatment Plant – KTP) and from the distribution systems of Athens, Mytilene and Chalkida. The sources for these systems are lakes, boreholes and wells. The concentrations of THMs ranged from 5 to 106 μg/l, from 4 to 27 μg/l and from 5 to 96 μg/l, in the distribution systems of Athens, Mytilene, Chalkida, respectively. The wide ranges of concentrations in three cities should be attributed to the organics concentration of raw water. In all the cases the THMs concentrations were higher during the summer and fall than in spring and winter. In GTP and in the distribution system receives water by GTP, from April 1993 to January 1995, Mytilene and Chalkida, brominated THMs dominated and existed at the highest concentration levels, whereas chloroform was the least prevalent compound, while in all the other cases the opposite was observed. In all samples the concentrations were lower than the maximum level of 100 μg/l for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) set by European Community (EC).

Monitoring of the pesticide levels in natural waters of Greece.

Monitoring of the pesticide levels in natural waters of Greece.

Environmental mycobacteria in bottled table waters in Greece.

A hundred and fifty samples of bottled table water sold by Greek factories were examined for the presence of environmental mycobacteria. Environmental mycobacteria were found in 23 (15.6%) of the 150 tested samples. Bacterial numbers of 1-100, 101-300, 301-1000, and > 10(3) CFU/L were found in 8, 2, 1, and 4% of the samples, respectively. The identification of the environmental mycobacteria was performed by both polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme analysis (PCR-REA) and biochemical methods. The environmental mycobacteria found were 14 Mycobacterium chelonae, 3 Mycobacterium phlei, 4 Mycobacterium gordonae, and 2 Mycobacterium flavescens. The relatively high number of environmental mycobacteria in bottled table water leads us to believe that the search of these opportunistic microorganisms in bottled water could be a useful index of their hygienic quality when this water is to be consumed by immunologically compromised patients. No statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of mycobacteria and the bacteriological faecal indicators (P < 0.005).

Estimation of precipitable water in Greece on the basis of radiosondes and satellite data

A method is developed for defining precipitable water—i.e. the total amount of water vapour in the zenith direction, between the surface of the earth and the top of the atmosphere—using radiosonde data for temperature and humidity. Results—which refer to monthly mean values for January, April and July—are compared to satellite TOVS data for the same period and area, to demonstrate very good agreement. The method is used to assess precipitable water in Greece to show a small seasonal variation of precipitable water. In addition the seasonal amplitude is greater (about 1 cm) for the atmospheric layer surface—500 hPa, whereas precipitable water was found in the range from 1 cm to 2.5 cm depending on the season.

Quality characteristics of surface and sea waters in Greece in relation to European union legislation

The paper summarises the results of a survey of the quality characteristics of 21 lakes, 24 rivers and 5 gulfs in Greece. The field data was collected by the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment &amp; Public Works and covers the period 1989–1992. Data processing and evaluation, in order to determine the degree of pollution and the sensitivity of the water bodies, was conducted by considering the relevant European Union (EU) legislation. The quality characteristics of 90% of the surface waters do not violate the mandatory limits of the Directives 75/440 and 80/440. However, a significant number of lakes (about 60%) are meso-eutrophic or eutrophic with nitrogen being the limiting nutrient. The main sources of nitrogen in these cases are related to agricultural practices and the measures specified in Directive 91/676 (closer monitoring, improvement of agricultural practices) should be implemented. Furthermore, the discharge of treated sewage should be avoided or in any case the degree of treatment should include nutrients removal, in accordance with the requirements of the Directive 91/271 for sensitive recipients. The evaluation of the quality characteristics of the examined gulfs was performed taking into consideration the classification proposed by the Directive 91/271, which is based on the degree of sensitivity of the water bodies with respect to eutrophication.

Quality characteristics of surface and sea waters in Greece in relation to European union legislation

The paper summarises the results of a survey of the quality characteristics of 21 lakes, 24 rivers and 5 gulfs in Greece. The field data was collected by the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment & Public Works and covers the period 1989-1992. Data processing and evaluation, in order to determine the degree of pollution and the sensitivity of the water bodies, was conducted by considering the relevant European Union (EU) legislation. The quality characteristics of 90% of the surface waters do not violate the mandatory limits of the Directives 75/440 and 80/440. However, a significant number of lakes (about 60%) are meso-eutrophic or eutrophic with nitrogen being the limiting nutrient. The main sources of nitrogen in these cases are related to agricultural practices and the measures specified in Directive 91/676 (closer monitoring, improvement of agricultural practices) should be implemented. Furthermore, the discharge of treated sewage should be avoided or in any case the degree of treatment should include nutrients removal, in accordance with the requirements of the Directive 91/271 for sensitive recipients. The evaluation of the quality characteristics of the examined gulfs was performed taking into consideration the classification proposed by the Directive 91/271, which is based on the degree of sensitivity of the water bodies with respect to eutrophication.

Microbiological quality of bottled water in Greece

microbiological quality of the water produced by 38 bottling plants in Greece between 1987 and 1992 is presented and discussed. The presence of Pseudomonas spp. is also considered.

Gas chromatographic determination of pesticides in natural waters of Greece

Gas chromatographic determination of pesticides in natural waters of Greece

DNA-Restriction Enzyme Analysis of Adenoviruses Isolated from Waters

Adenoviruses can often be isolated from waters in Greece. Among them, serotype adenovirus 7 (Ad 7) was found most frequently, accounting for nearly 55% of all adenovirus isolates from water, with the protamine sulphate precipitation method used. The corresponding isolation rate of the Ad 7 serotype from humans was even higher, approaching 85% of all human isolates. This high frequency of occurrence of the Ad 7 serotype prompted us to perform a DNA restriction enzyme analysis of Ad 7 strains, so as to find their genome type. Twenty eight strains, 14 from waters and 14 from humans, were grown in Hep2 cells in the presence of radioactive phosphorus. Viruses were harvested after 24 hours incubation, the DNA was extracted and digested with the endonucleases of Bam HI and XhoI. DNA restriction digests were electrophoresed in agarose gels, vacuum dried and autoradiographed. The comparison of the restriction digests showed that all strains from waters and 12 out of 14 from humans belong to the genome type Adeno 7b, which is the most prevalent in other European countries as well.

Periphyton algae and bacteria from springs of Levadia Boeotia, Greece

Wild and cultured species of periphyton from Levadia springs, Greece were studied. A total of 102 species of algae and bacteria were divided into 4 Bacteriophyta, 32 Cyanophyta and 66 Bacillariophyta. Descriptions and taxonomic comments on all taxa found as well as an account of previous studies on bacteria and algae from running waters in Greece are presented. Eleven diatoms and four blue-green algae are first records for Greece.