Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Seasonal and Long-Term Water Quality of Alfeios River Basin in Greece

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the seasonal and long-term concentration levels of several electrochemical and nutrient parameters in surface water and groundwater of the Alfeios River Basin, Greece. Seven seasonal sampling campaigns were conducted, each including 12 sampling sites located along the Alfeios River and its major tributaries, Enipeus, Kladheos, Selinous, Erymanthos, Ladhon, and Lousios. At each station, flow discharge was measured using four quick techniques, on-site measurements were performed, and water samples were taken for laboratory analysis. In locations near the river, on-site measurements were conducted, and water samples were collected from wells and boreholes to assess the groundwater quality. In addition, relative data from previous or later campaigns by other researchers is used to assess the long-term and possible seasonal variation of water quality along the Alfeios River and its tributaries. The results show a decrease in concentration for most of the parameters regarding surface and groundwater quality during the last few years. Statistical analysis showed that the dilution process is significant along the Alfeios River, upstream industrial wastewater discharges or agricultural runoff is responsible for high concentration values, while seasonality is evident only in the surface waters. Finally, comparing the water quality values to legislative limits of drinking water shows that exceedances occur, especially at nutrient compounds. This data could be useful for the evaluation of water quality, which is required by the implementation and update of the Alfeios River Basin Management Plan.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data generated and/or analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Agrafioti, E., & Diamadopoulos, E. (2012). A strategic plan for reuse of treated municipal wastewater for crop irrigation on the Island of Crete. Agricultural Water Management, 105, 57–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar, N., SyakirIshak, M. I., Bhawani, S. A., & Umar, K. (2021). Various natural and anthropogenic factors responsible for water quality degradation: A review. Water., 13(19), 2660. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13192660

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Antonopoulos, V. Z., Papamichail, D. M., & Mitsiou, K. A. (2001). Statistical and trend analysis of water quality and quantity data for the Strymon River in Greece. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 5(4), 679–692. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-5-679-2001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. In Clescerl, A. E. G. L. S., & Eaton, A. D. (Eds.), American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Water Environmental Federation (WEF) (20th ed.).

  • Bathing Water Directive (2006). Council Directive 2006/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 February 2006 concerning the management of bathing water quality and repealing Directive 76/160/EEC. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Bekri, E. S., & Yannopoulos, P. C. (2012). The interplay between the Alfeios (Greece) River Basin components and the exerted environmental stresses: A critical review. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 223(7), 3783–3806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1148-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bekri, E. S., Economou, P., Yannopoulos, P. C., & Demetracopoulos, A. C. (2021). Reassessing existing reservoir supply capacity and management resilience under climate change and sediment deposition. Water, 13(13), 1819. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13131819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloutsos, A. A., Manariotis, I. D., & Yannopoulos, P. C. (2017). Levels of metals Pb, Mn, Fe in the period 2006–2007 in the surface water and groundwater of Alfeios catchment. Greece. Environmental Processes, 4(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-017-0233-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, C. E. (2020). Water quality: An introduction (3rd ed.). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23335-8

  • Chow, V. T. (1959). Open-channel hydraulics. McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobriyal, P., Badola, R., Tuboi, C., & Hussain, S. A. (2017). A review of methods for monitoring streamflow for sustainable water resource management. Applied Water Science, 7(6), 2617–2628. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-016-0488-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drinking Water Directive (2020). Council Directive 2020/2184/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast) (Text with EEA relevance). Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008). Council Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directives 82/176/EEC, 83/513/EEC, 84/156/EEC, 84/491/EEC, 86/280/EEC and amending Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Floods Directive (2007). Council Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks (Text with EEA relevance). Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Frazier, A. H. (1974). Water current meters in the smithsonian collections of the national museum of history and technology (Vol. 28). Smithsonian Institution Press. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810258.28.1

  • French, R. H. (1986). Open-channel hydraulics. McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fresenius, W., Quentin, K. E., & Schneider, W. (1988). Water analysis: A practical guide to physico-chemical, chemical and microbiological water examination and quality assurance (1st ed.). Springer-Verlag.

  • Fytianos, K., Siumka, A., Zachariadis, G. A., & Beltsios, S. (2002). Assessment of the quality characteristics of Pinios River, Greece. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 136(1), 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015299130443

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Government Gazette (2002). Classification of the main hotel units in categories with a star system and their technical specifications. Government Gazette/A/43/07-03-2002. (In Greek).

  • Government Gazette (2011a). Definition of upper acceptable values for the condition identification of specific pollutants, groups of pollutants or of pollution indicators in groundwater. Government Gazette/B/3322/30-12-2011. (In Greek).

  • Government Gazette (2011b). Determination of measures, terms and processes for the response to use treated wastewater and other provisions. Government Gazette/B/354/2011. (In Greek).

  • Government Gazette (2013). Approval of the River Basin Management Plans of the Water Districts of Attica, Eastern Central Greece, Northern Peloponnesus, Eastern Peloponnesus and Western Peloponnesus. Government Gazette/B/1004/24-04-2013. (In Greek).

  • Government Gazette (2017). Approval of the 1st Update of River Basin Management Plans of the Water Districts of Western Peloponnesus. Government Gazette/B/4678/29-12-2017. (In Greek).

  • Government Gazette (2023). Quality of water for human consumption in compliance with the provisions of the Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 (L435/1, 23.12.2020). Government Gazette/B/3525/2023. (In Greek).

  • Groundwater Directive (2006). Council Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Herschy, R. W. (2009). Streamflow Measurement (3rd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781482265880

  • Ilias, A., Panoras, A., & Angelakis, A. (2014). (2014) Wastewater recycling in Greece: The case of Thessaloniki. Sustainability, 6(5), 2876–2892. https://doi.org/10.3390/su6052876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iliopoulou-Georgudaki, J., Kantzaris, V., Katharios, P., Kaspiris, P., Georgiadis, T., & Montesantou, B. (2003). An application of different bioindicators for assessing water quality: A case study in the rivers Alfeios and Pineios (Peloponnisos, Greece). Ecological Indicators, 2(4), 345–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-160X(03)00004-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kannel, P. R., Lee, S., Lee, Y.-S., Kanel, S. R., & Khan, S. P. (2007). Application of water quality indices and dissolved oxygen as indicators for river water classification and urban impact assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 132(1–3), 93–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9505-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kantzaris, V., Iliopoulou-Georgudaki, J., Katharios, P., & Kaspiris, P. (2002). A comparison of several biotic indices used for water quality assessment at the Greek Rivers. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 11(11), 1000–1007.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaskaoutis, D. G., Kharol, S. K., Sifakis, N., Nastos, P. T., Sharma, A. R., Badarinath, K. V. S., & Kambezidis, H. D. (2011). Satellite monitoring of the biomass-burning aerosols during the wildfires of August 2007 in Greece: Climate implications. Atmospheric Environment, 45(3), 716–726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2010.09.043

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kirchner, J. W., Feng, X., & Neal, C. (2000). Fractal stream chemistry and its implications for contaminant transport in catchments. Nature, 403(6769), 524–527. https://doi.org/10.1038/35000537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J., Lee, S., Yu, S., & Rhew, D. (2016). Relationships between water quality parameters in rivers and lakes: BOD5, COD, NBOPs, and TOC. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188(4), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5251-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Letterman, R.D. (Ed.) (1999).Water quality and treatment: a handbook of community water supplies. American Water Works Association, New York, McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0070016593

  • Liebetrau, A. M. (1979). Water quality sampling: Some statistical considerations. Water Resources Research, 15(6), 1717–1725. https://doi.org/10.1029/WR015i006p01717

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mamassis, N., Mazi, K., Dimitriou, E., Kalogeras, D., Malamos, N., Lykoudis, S., Koukouvinos, A., Tsirogiannis, I., Papageorgaki, I., Papadopoulos, A., Panagopoulos, Y., Koutsoyiannis, D., Christofides, A., Efstratiadis, A., Vitantzakis, G., Kappos, N., Katsanos, D., Psiloglou, B., Rozos, E., … Koussis, A. D. (2021). OpenHi.net: A synergistically built, national-scale infrastructure for monitoring the surface waters of Greece. Water, 13(19), 2779.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manariotis, I. D., & Yannopoulos, P. C. (2004). Adverse effects on Alfeios River Basin and an integrated management framework based on sustainability. Environmental Management, 34(2), 261–269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-004-0069-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manariotis, I. D., & Yannopoulos, P. C. (2014). Impact of human activities and infrastructure works on hydro morphological characteristics of Alfeios River. Greece. Global Nest Journal, 16(1), 135–145. https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.001006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maroufi, H., & Mehdinejadiani, B. (2021). A comparative study on using metaheuristic algorithms for simultaneously estimating parameters of space fractional advection-dispersion equation. Journal of Hydrology, 602, 126757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mentzafou, A., Panagopoulos, Y., & Dimitriou, E. (2019). Designing the national network for automatic monitoring of water quality parameters in Greece. Water, 11(6), 1310. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11061310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mentzafou, A., Varlas, G., Papadopoulos, A., Poulis, G., & Dimitriou, E. (2021). Assessment of automatically monitored water levels and water quality indicators in rivers with different hydromorphological conditions and pollution levels in Greece. Hydrology, 8(2), 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8020086

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mertzanis, A., & Mertzanis, K. (2013). Impact of river damming and river diversion projects in a changing environment and in geomorpho-logical evolution of the Greek coast. British Journal of Environment & Climate Change, 2013(3), 127–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalf & Eddy, Tchobanoglous, G., Stensel, H. D., Tsuchihashi, R., Abu-Orf, M., Bowden, G., Burton, F. L., & Pfrang, W. (2014). Wastewater engineering: Treatment and resource recovery (5th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.

  • National Water Monitoring Network (N.W.M.N.) (n.d.). Ministry of Environment and Energy, Special Secretariat for Water. (In Greek). Available online: http://wfdgis.ypeka.gr/. Accessed 29 Oct 2022.

  • Natura 2000 (1992). Council Directive 1992/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Nicholas, A. P., Woodward, J. C., Christopoulos, G., & Macklin, M. G. (1999). Modelling and monitoring river response to environmental change: The impact of dam construction and alluvial gravel extraction on bank erosion rates in the lower Alfios basin. Greece. Fluid processes and environmental change. John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nikolakopoulos, K. G., Vaiopoulos, D. A., & Skianis, G. A. (2007). Use of multitemporal remote sensing data for mapping the Alfios River network changes from 1977 to 2000. Geocarto International, 22(4), 251–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/10106040701204727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nitrates Directive (1991). Council Directive 1991/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • OpenHi.net (n.d.). (In Greek). Available online: https://system.openhi.net/. Accessed 29 Oct 2022. 

  • Panagopoulos, Y., Konstantinidou, A., Lazogiannis, K., Papadopoulos, A., & Dimitriou, E. A. (2021). New automatic monitoring network of surface waters in Greece: Preliminary data quality checks and visualization. Hydrology., 8(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8010033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podimata, M. V., & Yannopoulos, P. C. (2016). A conceptual approach to model sand–gravel extraction from rivers based on a game theory perspective. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 59(1), 120–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2014.991381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsar Convention (1971). Available online: https://www.ramsar.org/. Accessed 5 Nov 2022.

  • Roller, D. W. (2014). The Geography of Strabo: An English Translation, with Introduction and Notes (p. 9781107038257). Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salerno, F., Gaetano, V., & Gianni, T. (2018). Urbanization and climate change impacts on surface water quality: Enhancing the resilience by reducing impervious surfaces. Water Research, 144, 491–502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.07.058

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shoushtarian, F., & Negahban-Azar, M. (2020). Worldwide regulations and guidelines for agricultural water reuse: A critical review. Water, 12(4), 971. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12040971

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skordas, K., Tziritis, E., & Kelepertsis, A. (2010). Groundwater quality of the hydrological basin of Amyros River, Agia area Thessaly. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 43(4), 10. https://doi.org/10.12681/bgsg.11377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skoulikidis, N. T., Amaxidis, Y., Bertahas, I., Laschou, S., & Gritzalis, K. (2006). Analysis of factors driving stream water composition and synthesis of management tools—A case study on small/medium Greek catchments. Science of the Total Environment, 362(1), 205–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2005.05.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skoulikidis, N.T., Zogaris, S., Economou, A.N., & Gritzalis, K.C. (2009). Rivers of the Balkans. In: Tockner K, Uehlinger U, Robinson CT (Eds.), Rivers of Europe, 1st ed. Academic Press, London, pp 421-466. ISBN: 9780123694492

  • Stamatis, G., Voudouris, K., & Karefilakis, F. (2001). Groundwater pollution by heavy metals in historical mining area of Lavrio, Attica, Greece. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 128(1), 61–83. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010337718104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaray, S. K., Nayak, B. B., & Bhatta, D. (2008). Environmental studies on river water quality with reference to suitability for agricultural purposes: Mahanadi river estuarine system, India – a case study. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 155(1–4), 227–243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0431-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tabari, H., Marofi, S., & Ahmadi, M. (2011). Long-term variations of water quality parameters in the Maroon River. Iran. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 177(1), 273–287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1633-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (1991). Council Directive 1991/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste-water treatment. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (1997). Volunteer stream monitoring: A methods manual (EPA 841-B-97-003). Available online: https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/volunteer-stream-monitoring-methods-manual. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (2022). Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS): Volume 2. Sources, Stressors, Responses. Retrieved: 3rd November 2022. Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, 2017. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/caddis. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Voudouris, K., Panagopoulos, A., & Koumantakis, J. (2000). Multivariate statistical analysis in the assessment of hydrochemistry of the Northern Korinthia prefecture alluvial aquifer system (Peloponnese, Greece). Natural Recourses Research, 9(2), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010195410646

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wastewater quality guidelines for agricultural use. Available online: http://www.fao.org/3/t0551e/t0551e04.htm Available online: (Accessed on 25 November 2023).

  • Water Framework Directive (2000). Council Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Available from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Whittington, R. B., & El-Fiki, A. B. (1967). The suspended-sphere current meter. A simple device for use in the hydraulic laboratory. Civil Engineering and Public Works Review, 62(726), 65–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2011). Guidelines for drinking-water quality (4th ed.). https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/quality.shtml. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

  • Yannopoulos, P. C., Demetracopoulos, A. C., & Hadjitheodorou, C. D. (2008). Quick method for open channel discharge measurements using air bubbles. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, 134(6), 843–846. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2008)134:6(843)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yannopoulos, P. C., Demetracopoulos, A. C., & Hadjitheodorou, C. D. (1995). River discharge measurements with rising air bubbles. In Lekkas, T. H. (Ed.), Proceediong of 4th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology. Molyvos Lesvos, 4–7 Sept. 1995, Volume B, pp 389–398 (In Greek).

  • Yannopoulos, P. C., Mavrikos, G., Demetracopoulos, A. C., Hadjitheodorou, C. D. (2000). Velocity measurement in open-channel flows using a sphere. In Christodoulou, G., Stamou, A., & Nanou, A. (Eds.), Proceedings of 8th National Congress of Hellenic Hydrotechnical Association (H.H.A.). 19–21 April 2000, Athens, pp 127–134 (In Greek).

  • Yannopoulos, P., Manariotis, I., Ziogas, & A., Kaleris, V. (2007). Methodology of river pollution assessment and preliminary results. In Proceeding of 32nd IAHR Congress on Harmonizing the Demands of Art and Nature in Hydraulics. July 1-6, 2007, Venice, Italy; 32(1):307-319

  • Yannopoulos, P.C. (2008). Development of low-cost methodologies for quick prediction and monitoring river pollution, final report, Operational Educational and Vocational Training II (EPEAEK II) – PYTHAGORAS II (in Greek). Retrieved from http://www.hydrocrites.upatras.gr/Research.aspx. Accessed 1 Jul 2023.

Download references

Funding

This research was partially funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Operational Educational and Vocational Training II (EPEAEK II) and particularly by the Program PYTHAGORAS II (Project No. Β.721.006 of Research Committee of the University of Patras).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All authors, Aristeidis A. Bloutsos (AB), Vasiliki I. Syngouna (VS), Ioannis D. Manariotis (IM), and Panayotis C. Yannopoulos (PY), participated in the sampling campaigns. Conceptualization: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; methodology: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; formal analysis: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; resources: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; data curation: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; laboratory analysis: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; writing—original draft preparation: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; writing—review and editing: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; visualization: AB, VS, ΙΜ, and PY; supervision: ΙΜ and PY. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aristeidis A. Bloutsos.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval

This is an observational study. The authors have confirmed that no ethical approval is required, and all the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Competing Interests

The authors declare any financial and non-financial competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bloutsos, A.A., Syngouna, V.I., Manariotis, I.D. et al. Seasonal and Long-Term Water Quality of Alfeios River Basin in Greece. Water Air Soil Pollut 235, 215 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-024-06981-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-024-06981-1

Keywords

Navigation