Dissertation committee:
Μητρόπουλος Π. Καθηγ. Επιβλέπων, Αργυράκη Α. Επικ. Καθηγ., Κίλιας Σ. Αναπλ. Καθηγ., Γκάρτζος Ε. Καθηγ., Οικονόμου Μ. Καθηγ., Σταματάκης Μ. Καθηγ., Αλεξόπουλος Α. Καθηγ.
Summary:
This study consists of two main subjects. The first is purely environmental and
examines every part of the soil - ground water - plants cycle, to determine its
degree of interdependence, but also the influence on them by other factors such
as the sea-water, hydrothermal system, processes of weathering and erosion of
various geological formations, human activities e.t.c. Simultaneously through
this study the definition of background values on those media (soil,
underground water-cooled plants) is achieved. The second main subject of this
thesis is the examination of hot springs and their deposits (travertine). The
aims are: a) the determination of the chemical composition of water at a large
number of major and trace elements with very low detection limits, b) the
comparison of hot springs found on both sides of the Evian Gulf, and in order
to find a possible affinity of fluids, c) the discovery of the dynamic of
forming mineral phases (metallic and non-metallic) through the analysis of the
fluids and their deposits.
The collected samples were analyzed in three institutions, at the University of
Athens, Department of Geology and Geo-Environment, at the University of Sussex,
in the laboratories of the Department of Biology and Environment and at the
Natural History Museum of London.
Based on the results of this study and their interpretation, it is now known
the geochemical distribution in a large number of elements (major and trace
elements) in soil, groundwater and vegetation, in the specific areas. The
results of the geochemical distribution can be used as background values in
future studies, since it is the first complete study made in the specific
areas. It also proved the influence of anthropogenic activities and natural
processes (e.g. geological formations alteration, hydrothermal system e.t.c.)
in the system soil-groundwater-vegetation. The quality of soils and groundwater
samples checked for their suitability for various uses (e.g. water for human
consumption, irrigation use, etc.).
Regarding the hydrothermal system, its existence and operation linked with the
geology of the area. It turned out that the hot springs examined on both sides
of the Evian Gulf, are part of a single active hydrothermal system, which shows
active processes of metallogenesis. And from the study of travertine deposited,
it is proved their rich mineralogy in metal and non- metal mineral phases.
Keywords:
GEOCHEMISTRY OF TRACE ELEMENTS, HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEM, HOT SPRINGS DEPOSITS (TRAVERTINE), FTHIOTIDA, NORTH EUBOEA
