Environmental quality and Geospatial Applications

Research focus on the quality of the marine environment which includes the study of dynamics of coastal eutrophication, investigation of the behavior of potential toxic substances in the marine environment, listed as priority pollutants, oil spill identification and detection, and the microbiological quality of bathing waters and drinking water. Data collected from sampling surveys and other sources, such as remote sensing or existing databases, are processed and analyzed with the application of up-to-date tools, such as statistical, spatial analysis and multi-criteria analysis methods.

The obtained results in accordance with the systemic study of marine processes may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms related to abiotic and biotic factors of the marine environment and their quantitative estimation.

Personel | Infrastructure | Research projects | Publications

Research activities are carried out in the laboratories of the Dept. of Marine Sciences which are fully equipped with appropriate instruments. Reliable field instruments are used for in situ measurements as well as for sampling cruises with the educational/research vessel Amfitriti. Services to National and Local authorities are provided as well as cooperative research projects related to the quality of the coastal marine environment.

Research activities

Eutrophication dynamics in the marine environment

Marine eutrophication is nowadays a priority issue in the European Union. Apart from the scientific interest it has economic, social and political implications. In the Department of Marine Sciences research focuses on dynamics of nutrients, phytoplankton ecology and the relation/evaluation of various sources of pollution regarding the appearance of eutrophic trends. Additional research fields are the evaluation of the impacts of marine eutrophication on water quality, used for swimming, recreational activities and aquaculture. Emphasis is given on data analysis methods, since eutrophication is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. Furthermore, important experience has been acquired as far as European and national legislation is concerned, regarding the management and protection of the marine environment from eutrophication.

Microbiological quality of the marine environment

The microbial load of sand in bathing beaches is investigated from the point of view of microbial ecology and public health, because of the interest it poses as an ecosystem and of the possibility of bather infection. We look into the relationships between faecal pollution indicators and pathogens and the frequency and spatial distribution of saprophytic and pathogenic yeasts in the sand. The consequences of rainfall for the microbiological quality of coastal water is also studied, as well as the spatial and temporal spreading of faecal indicators and pathogens in the sea water close to the mouths of rivers/streams, point and diffuse pollution sources.

Investigation of the behavior of potential toxic substances in the marine environment

Research activities include the development and optimization of analytical methodologies for the detection and quantitative determination of potential toxic substances, listed as priority pollutants, in seawater and sediments. Chemical and toxicological analyses are carried out to investigate the behavior of potential toxic substances in seawater and marine sediments, and their adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Toxicity experiments are conducted with marine algae which as important primary producers can influence marine ecosystem directly. Data produced are processed to estimate the ecological risk of potential toxic substances to marine phytoplankton.

Applications of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing

Research focuses on the study of the marine environment, the coastal zone and the interactions with the atmosphere. Modern technology is applied for the development of methodologies in order to study the coastal environment, the quantitative and spatio-temporal assessment of marine eutrophication, the circulation of sea water masses, the monitoring of sea water pollution, the detection, determination and monitoring of oil spills and the estimation of fishing activity. Furthermore, on the development of methodologies and tools for coastal zone management by co-estimating data from various sources, such as socio-economic, environmental, satellite, with the objective to support appropriate actions of the involved public bodies. More research activities related to marine remote sensing can be found on  Marine Remote Sensing Group web page. 

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