The Drama basin water: quality and peat/lignite interaction

Abstract

The Drama basin is a typical intermontane basin (2,300 km2) in northern Greece filled with detrital and lacustrine sediments containing peat/lignite seams. In the southwestern part of the basin (Philippi sub-basin) peat accumulated practically until the present. Specific conductivity and pH, as well as contents of major ions and trace elements have been determined in 20 surface and shallow groundwater samples collected across the basin. Water composition reflects the dominance of carbonate rocks in the whole basin. Peat oxidation and mineralization contribute to poor element enrichment of the Philippi sub-basin surface water derived from both the organic and inorganic peat fractions. Anthropogenic activities (waste water effluents and rubbish dumps) increase Mn, P, B, and Br concentrations. Only Mn exceeds EC recommendations (50 µg/l) in some places. There is also a slight increase in Na+ and Cl- contents. Improving measures in the management of point pollution sources should be a priority to warrant the sustainable exploitation of water resources in the Drama basin.