The occurrence of priority PAHs, nonylphenol and octylphenol in inland and coastal waters of Central Greece and the Island of Lesvos

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP) are substances of major environmental concern because of their adverse health effects on organisms, including endocrine disrupting activity. Seven PAHs, NP and OP have been included in the priority list of substances regulated by 2000/60/EC Water Framework Directive. The present work concerns the investigation of the occurrence of the seven priority PAHs, NP and OP in surface and coastal waters in Central Greece and the Island of Lesvos. Samples were collected and analyzed seasonally for one year from the four reservoirs that supply water to Athens: Mornos, Marathonas, Yliki and Evinos. Samples were also collected from inland waters of the Lesvos Island (the rivers Mylopotamos and Evergetoulas), and from coastal waters (five sampling points) of the Mytilene area, which is the capital city of the Island of Lesvos. The results have shown that in most cases the water samples that were analyzed are free from PAHs, possibly because of lack of PAHs release sources nearby the particular areas, or due to the adsorption of PAHs on sediments. NP occurred at low levels in several cases, while OP was detected only in one sample.

The occurrence of the seven priority PAHs, NP and OP was investigated in inland and coastal waters of Central Greece and the Island of Lesvos. Samples have been collected and analyzed seasonally for one year from the four reservoirs supplying water to Athens metropolitan area and for two seasons from inland and coastal waters of the Island of Lesvos. The results have shown that in most cases the waters studied are free from PAHs, NP and OP, possibly because of lack of PAHs re- lease sources nearby the particular areas, or due to the adsorption of PAHs on sediments. NP occurred at low levels in several cases, anthracene and benzo-a-pyrene in a limited number of cases and OP was detected only in one sample. The samples where priority substances occurred were mostly from the area in and nearby the port of Mytilene, where some part of untreated wastewater is released because the municipal wastewater treatment plant does not yet serve the whole city.