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Evaluating the anthropogenic impacts on groundwaters; a methodology based on the determination of natural background levels and threshold values

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Abstract

The present work investigates the long-term effects of human intervention on groundwaters based on the determination of natural background levels (NBLs) and threshold values (TVs) for groundwater electrical conductivity, chloride, ammonium, sulphates and nitrates. The methodology adopted is the one proposed in the 6th Framework European Project “BRIDGE”, which was applied with some adjustments in Rhodope area (Northern Greece). The study area was especially selected because it incorporates two distinct subareas: the northern one which can be safely considered as a pristine area, where NBLs for groundwaters were assessed from; the southern part which forms a typical Mediterranean region, intensively cultivated for the last 40 years. Groundwater TVs were determined considering two types of groundwater receptors: (a) groundwater ‘itself’ and (b) groundwater dependent lagoons in the coastal part of the study area. Results showed that groundwater quality is altered seriously from its natural background composition indicating how human activities have affected groundwater quality and showed that chemical status of groundwater has been seriously aggravated. The number and the spatial distribution of monitoring locations exceeding TVs revealed that chloride and nitrates are the most serious threats for groundwater in the study area.

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Abbreviations

NBL:

Natural background level

TV:

Threshold values

GWD:

EU Groundwater Directive

WFD:

EU Water Framework Directive

EC:

Electrical conductivity

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Acknowledgments

This work is developed within the frames of the European FP7 project GENESIS (Groundwater and Dependent Ecosystems: New Scientific and Technical Basis for Assessing Climate Change and Land-use Impacts on Groundwater Systems). Grant agreement no.: 226536 – GENESIS CP-IP. Author acknowledges Berne N. Jansson, Project Director of Thracian Gold Mining S.A., for his comments on the manuscript and George Falalakis, Exploration Manager of Thracian Gold Mining S.A., for his fruitful discussions on the geology of the study area. Author also thanks Emilios Koutsiakis, agronomist at the Regional Unit of Rhodope, who provided detailed information concerning the land uses in Rhodope area. Author would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions.

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  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100, Xanthi, Greece

    Alexandra Gemitzi

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  1. Alexandra Gemitzi
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Correspondence to Alexandra Gemitzi.

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Gemitzi, A. Evaluating the anthropogenic impacts on groundwaters; a methodology based on the determination of natural background levels and threshold values. Environ Earth Sci 67, 2223–2237 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1664-5

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