Summary:
The aim of this thesis was to study the pollution of the Pinios river. The
lower route and the estuary of the Pinios river were both studied. For this
purpose, a collection of surface water samples was held in a monthly basis at
certain sampling points along the lower route of the river and at the estuary,
the period July 2012-June 2013. Along with the sampling procedure, the
physicochemical parameters (temperature, conductivity, pH) were measured at the
field. During one sampling period, water samples of different salinity were
collected in various spots in the river mouth to examine the effect of salinity
on the concentrations of metals (Case Study). The heavy metals measured were
Al, Cd, Ni, Mn, Pb, Fe, Cu and Zn. The concentrations were determined by
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The concentrations of soluble metals did
not exceed the permitted legal and literature limits. However, for the
concentration of soluble Cd some high values were recorded both in the lower
route and the estuary of the river and were attributed to extended agricultural
activities and to urban and industrial activity. Moreover, both in the lower
route and the estuary of the river, the metals were found mainly in the
particulate form with the exception of zinc. Finally, on the physicochemical
parameters, high levels for Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) were recorded in
the lower route of the river during February and April 2013 and were attributed
to heavy rains, floods and landslides in the Thessaly Water District. As a
result, these events enriched the river water in suspended material.
