Supervisors info:
Γ. Μιγκίρος, Καθηγητής Γεωπονικού, Αι. Χρονοπούλου, Καθηγήτρια Γεωπονικού, Στ. Λόζιος, Επικ. Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
It is generally admitted that the construction and the function of dams in the
upper points of rivers may have significant consequences in the natural
environment of the downstream areas and specially of the areas at the mouth of
the rivers. The subject of the present research has been the recording,
elaborating, valuation of the natural environment of the Mornos fan delta and
of the consequences in this because of the function of the dam.
The Mornos river is lacated in the western central Greece and drains an area
of almost 1000 km2. It empties into the western Gulf of Corinth and forms the
greatest delta of the gulf. The mean annual discharge of the river is 40 m3/sec
(Karymbalis et al, 2007), while with suspended sediment discharge of 0,5-0,8
tn/y/km2 (Piper et al, 1990) the Mornos river is considered the main provider
of the inner part of gulf with sediments (Louis et al, 1992). The Mornos fan
delta is a Phone-type delta where its prodelta is characterized by areas of
moderate (10-20%) and very steep (>20%) slopes. These slopes do not allow the
stay of the sediment in the prodelta area and so they transfer into great
depths forming turbidites (Stournaras 2006). In the Mornos delta there is a
fertile plain of 28 km2 and the greatest wetland of the Corinth Gulf covering
an area of almost 2,8 km2.
In 1979-1981 finished the construction of the dam of Mornos, west of Lidoriki,
in order to water supply the city of Athens. The construction of the dam caused
a great change in the river’s regime. As a result of this fact there have been
changes in the natural environment of the area of Mornos delta, which have been
caused either directly or indirectly.
The aim of the present research was the localization and the valuation of the
changes that happen through ages in the natural environment of the delta area
because of the construction of the dam and the exploration of the measures
(safety and control) that should be taken in order to avoid dangers.
For this purpose an almost square research area of about 250 km2 in extent with
centre the Delta of Mornos was marked. Then continued the extensive study of
the geomorfological, geological, hydrogeological, neotectonical, seismological,
soil, climate, water and ecological characteristics of the research area.
Futhermore there has been a study of the through ages geomorfology changes in
the delta for the last 200 years and of the land use changes of the deltaic
plain for the last 50 years. In the research where used many maps,
aerophotographies, satellite pictures and were made out many thematic maps.
The conclusion of the analysis of the above characteristics of the natural
environment of the Mornos Delta area is that the changes that have happened in
the environment because of the construction of the dam are:
1. The decrease of the Mornos river water supply and the total draining of the
river’s bed through summer.
2. The increasing tendency of the chloride ions’ concentration in the plain’s
underground waters.
3. The retreat of the coastline within the scope of the delta’s gradual
deconstruction.
4. The gradual downgrading of the areas ecosystem.
5. The decrease of the coastal sandy beaches and of their flora and bird fauna.
6. The decrease of the Mornos river fish fauna.
7. The decrease of the sea fish fauna in the area of the river’s mouth.
The above changes are pregnant with dangers for the natural and the human
environment of the area, with final receiver of all the unfavourable
consequences human himself. In correspondence to the above changes, the dangers
lurking are:
1. The moreover encroaching upon the river’s bed the upon the round area.
2. The quality downgrading (salination) of the underground water.
3. The damage of coastal streets and houses.
4. The moreover downgrading of the area’s ecosystem
5. The gradual disappearing of the coastal sandy beaches and of their flora and
bird fauna.
6. The moreover environmental downgrading of the Mornos river’s water.
7. The moreover environmental downgrading of the area’s sea ecosystem.
As main safety and control measures for the above dangers are suggested:
• The familiarization and sensitization of the local community for the value of
the area’s natural environment
• The taking of measures for the rational control of the available water of the
plain.
• The establishment of an organization which will manage and control the Mornos
wetland.
• The actions and the materialize of projects that elevate the area’s natural
environment
• The support of the private and public projects that harmonize with the area’s
natural environment and elevate it.
• The materialize of appropriate coastal counter-corrosion projects.
It is generally admitted that the construction and the function of dams in the
upper points of rivers may have significant consequences in the natural
environment of the downstream areas and specially of the areas at the mouth of
the rivers. The subject of the present research has been the recording,
elaborating, valuation of the natural environment of the Mornos fan delta and
of the consequences in this because of the function of the dam.
The Mornos river is lacated in the western central Greece and drains an area
of almost 1000 km2. It empties into the western Gulf of Corinth and forms the
greatest delta of the gulf. The mean annual discharge of the river is 40 m3/sec
(Karymbalis et al, 2007), while with suspended sediment discharge of 0,5-0,8
tn/y/km2 (Piper et al, 1990) the Mornos river is considered the main provider
of the inner part of gulf with sediments (Louis et al, 1992). The Mornos fan
delta is a Phone-type delta where its prodelta is characterized by areas of
moderate (10-20%) and very steep (>20%) slopes. These slopes do not allow the
stay of the sediment in the prodelta area and so they transfer into great
depths forming turbidites (Stournaras 2006). In the Mornos delta there is a
fertile plain of 28 km2 and the greatest wetland of the Corinth Gulf covering
an area of almost 2,8 km2.
In 1979-1981 finished the construction of the dam of Mornos, west of Lidoriki,
in order to water supply the city of Athens. The construction of the dam caused
a great change in the river’s regime. As a result of this fact there have been
changes in the natural environment of the area of Mornos delta, which have been
caused either directly or indirectly.
The aim of the present research was the localization and the valuation of the
changes that happen through ages in the natural environment of the delta area
because of the construction of the dam and the exploration of the measures
(safety and control) that should be taken in order to avoid dangers.
For this purpose an almost square research area of about 250 km2 in extent with
centre the Delta of Mornos was marked. Then continued the extensive study of
the geomorfological, geological, hydrogeological, neotectonical, seismological,
soil, climate, water and ecological characteristics of the research area.
Futhermore there has been a study of the through ages geomorfology changes in
the delta for the last 200 years and of the land use changes of the deltaic
plain for the last 50 years. In the research where used many maps,
aerophotographies, satellite pictures and were made out many thematic maps.
The conclusion of the analysis of the above characteristics of the natural
environment of the Mornos Delta area is that the changes that have happened in
the environment because of the construction of the dam are:
1. The decrease of the Mornos river water supply and the total draining of the
river’s bed through summer.
2. The increasing tendency of the chloride ions’ concentration in the plain’s
underground waters.
3. The retreat of the coastline within the scope of the delta’s gradual
deconstruction.
4. The gradual downgrading of the areas ecosystem.
5. The decrease of the coastal sandy beaches and of their flora and bird fauna.
6. The decrease of the Mornos river fish fauna.
7. The decrease of the sea fish fauna in the area of the river’s mouth.
The above changes are pregnant with dangers for the natural and the human
environment of the area, with final receiver of all the unfavourable
consequences human himself. In correspondence to the above changes, the dangers
lurking are:
1. The moreover encroaching upon the river’s bed the upon the round area.
2. The quality downgrading (salination) of the underground water.
3. The damage of coastal streets and houses.
4. The moreover downgrading of the area’s ecosystem
5. The gradual disappearing of the coastal sandy beaches and of their flora and
bird fauna.
6. The moreover environmental downgrading of the Mornos river’s water.
7. The moreover environmental downgrading of the area’s sea ecosystem.
As main safety and control measures for the above dangers are suggested:
• The familiarization and sensitization of the local community for the value of
the area’s natural environment
• The taking of measures for the rational control of the available water of the
plain.
• The establishment of an organization which will manage and control the Mornos
wetland.
• The actions and the materialize of projects that elevate the area’s natural
environment
• The support of the private and public projects that harmonize with the area’s
natural environment and elevate it.
• The materialize of appropriate coastal counter-corrosion projects.
