ASSESSMENT OF ARSENIC AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN SURFACE AND GROUNDWATERS OF ALMOPIA MUNICIPALITY, GREECE

About this project

<p>Arsenic (As) is an element that occurs in the environment (soil, water, air and biocosm) in trace amounts. The presence of arsenic in soils and waters is due to natural (types of rocks, or geothermal fields) as well as anthropogenic causes (agricultural activities). This element occurs in natural waters in the form of trivalent (As (III)) and pentavalent (As (V)) arsenic, of which the most toxic is its trivalent form. The toxic effect of arsenic on humans depends on its concentration as well as the duration of human exposure to arsenic while exposure to it occurs through drinking water. In the area of Aridea of the Municipality of Almopia, following actions carried out by the competent services related to the quality of drinking water, increased concentrations of arsenic were detected (usually in concentrations from 11 to 17 μg / L but also up to 26 μg / L in some cases or 362 μg/L in the thermal spa of Pozar) exceeding the upper acceptable legal limits (10 μg/L), for human consumption of Join Ministerial Decision 3535/2023. The confirmed presence of arsenic in the groundwater systems of the Almopia region makes it imperative to investigate the source of arsenic and to distinguish the toxicity of its various forms in the environment. The main objectives of the project are mainly related to: i. Quantification and spatial distribution of As in groundwater, ii. Determination of the mineralogical-geochemical composition, rocks and soils, which act as natural sources for the enrichment of As and other trace elements in the environment of the study area. iii. Distinguishing the source of these elements, anthropogenic or geogenic iv. Investigation of the hydraulic connection of groundwater with the thermo-mineral and thermal waters of the wider area in combination with the design and implementation of special protection regulations v. determining conditions for the planning of new drinking water projects while protecting public health.</p>

Project partners

• MUNICIPAL WATER COMPANY OF ALMOPIA (DEYA ALMOPIAS)) Project partner· Greece