Identification of Pollution Patterns and Sources in a Semi-Arid Urban Stream

Abstract

The impact and occurrence of human-induced pollution sources have been investigated in one of the few remaining urban streams located in Attica, Greece. Baseline information is provided on the presence and concentration of physicochemical parameters, nutrients, total coliforms, hydrocarbons and phenols in 12 key points along the Pikrodafni stream. The aim was to evaluate the relative importance of key water quality variables and their sources. Indicator substances (i.e. concentrations of nitrate, ammonium, phosphate and total coliforms in certain stations indicating wastewater exposure; PAHs indicating petroleum sources) successfully related the water quality variables to pollution sources. Furthermore, a pollution pressure map has been developed with the activities identified from in-situ visits and Google Earth surveys, while the statistical analysis (CA and PCA) has contributed to the further exploration of the relative magnitude of pollution sources effects. Our results underline initially the importance of diffuse pollution management accompanied by the necessity for continuous environmental monitoring and the application of legal and environmental restoration actions if water quality is to be improved according to WFD 2000/60/EC.

Preliminary Analysis of the Water Quality Status in an Urban Mediterranean River

“…More specifically, the TPAHs and TH concentrations detected along the river (particularly in K 5 site) indicated the presence of pollutants originating from petroleum sources. Our results regarding the levels of the TPAHs and THs are similar to other studies in urban areas [16,30]. High TPAHs and THs values should most likely be attributed to road runoff from heavy traffic highways adjacent to the river.…”

“…Measurements of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAHs) and total hydrocarbons (THs) were also collected in two of the campaigns in May 2021 and September 2022. Additionally, E. coli monitoring results are corelated with the Hellenic Water Quality Index (HWQI) [15][16][17][18][19] according to the demands of the WFD 2000/60 EC to investigate potential relationships. This is a first attempt to investigate correlations between E. coli and HWQI in an urban river, which is crucial for future water quality assessments.…”

Assessment of an Ultrasonic Water Stage Monitoring Sensor Operating in an Urban Stream

“…The river site of interest is located near the mouth (37.922411, 23.700816) of Pikrodafni stream, a surface water body with a highly urbanized catchment [ 24 ] and a partially channelized course within the metropolitan area of Athens, Greece ( Figure 1 ). As a result of the relevant pressures, increased values of nitrates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total coliforms have been reported [ 25 ] and the biological communities (riparian vegetation, fish, birds and macroinvertebrates) exhibit low diversity and poor structure [ 26 ].…”

Assessment of Automatically Monitored Water Levels and Water Quality Indicators in Rivers with Different Hydromorphological Conditions and Pollution Levels in Greece

“…The ecological status of the specific water body (EL0626R000300013N) has been characterized as moderate and the chemical status as good [23]. Nevertheless, based on a recent, thorough study, the water quality downstream was degraded, and was characterized as bad (based on nitrate concentrations), while the total physicochemical status of the stream was characterized as moderate and poor [24].…”