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Evaluating toxic element contamination sources in groundwater bodies of two Mediterranean sites

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Abstract

The Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework is applied for assessing the pressures and impacts on groundwater bodies of two Mediterranean sites (Megara and Oropos–Kalamos basins). The study areas present joint driving forces (drivers) and pressures. The main driving forces in the areas studied mainly include geology, agricultural activities, and urban development, while the main pressures mainly include the weathering of ultramafic rock masses, application of agrochemicals, and groundwater abstractions for irrigation and drinking uses. Hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), chromium total (Crtotal), manganese (Mn), and nitrate (NO3−) contamination of groundwater bodies are attributed to both anthropogenic and lithological sources. Elevated Crtotal (up to 70.3 μg L−1), Mn (up to 87.7 μg L−1), and NO3− (up to 411 mg L−1) contents are recorded for groundwater samples in Megara basin. High Crtotal (up to 34.3 μg L−1), Cr6+ (up to 27.9 μg L−1), Mn (up to 132.5 μg L−1), and NO3− (up to 30 mg L−1) are also observed for groundwater samples in the Oropos–Kalamos basin. The major response actions needed for the management options of groundwater bodies are discussed. Among the proposed remedial measures, the installation of a continuous groundwater monitoring network and the control in the usage of nitrogen fertilizers seems to be the most effective and tangible for immediate action.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Civil Engineering, Lab. of Geoenvironmental Science and Environmental Quality Assurance, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon str & P. Rali Ave, GR-12244, Egaleo, Greece

    Dimitrios E. Alexakis & Dimitra Gamvroula

  2. Dept. of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon str & P. Rali Ave, GR-12244, Egaleo, Greece

    Kyriaki Kiskira

  3. School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Athens, Greece

    Kyriaki Kiskira

  4. School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Christina Emmanouil

  5. Dept. of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon str & P. Rali Ave, GR-12244, Egaleo, Greece

    Constantinos S. Psomopoulos

Authors
  1. Dimitrios E. Alexakis
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  2. Kyriaki Kiskira
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  3. Dimitra Gamvroula
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  4. Christina Emmanouil
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  5. Constantinos S. Psomopoulos
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Contributions

Conceptualization: DEA, DG, KK. Data curation: DEA, DG, KK, CE. Formal analysis and investigation: DG. Methodology: DEA, DG, CE. Project administration: DEA, DG, CP. Resources: DG. Supervision: DEA, CE, DG. Visualization: DEA, DG, CP. Writing—original draft preparation: DEA, DG, KK. Writing—review and editing: DEA, CE, CP. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Dimitrios E. Alexakis.

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Responsible Editor: Xianliang Yi

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Alexakis, D.E., Kiskira, K., Gamvroula, D. et al. Evaluating toxic element contamination sources in groundwater bodies of two Mediterranean sites. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 34400–34409 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12957-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12957-z

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