Volume 16 [2014]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the morphodynamic regime of the coastal area of Xylokastro (north coast of Peloponnese), in order to identify and evaluate the processes controlling its formation and evolution. Within this concept, a number of factors have been considered and evaluated; near-shore morphometry and granulometry along shore-normal profiles, the direction and potential volumes of long- and cross-shore sediment transport the decadal and future trends of coastline displacement, the available information for terrestrial sediment influx and the geological processes operating in the broader coastal region of Xylokastro (i.e. subaqueous slides) as well as human interference. On the basis of these results, the formation and evolution of this coastal stretch seems to be governed primarily by the neotectonic activity and relative change of sea level rise, and secondarily by the wave-induced near-shore sediment transport; the role of the latter could be enhanced substantially by human intervention (i.e. construction of marina, seafront walls). Moreover, the expected eustatic increase in sea level by the year 2100, could cause a coastline retreat up to 9 m (SLR=0.38 m) or >19 m (SLR≥1 m).

Non-point sources pollution from highway runoff is among the most important reasons for surface and ground waters degradation. Atmospheric deposition, exhaust emissions, pavement wear and tire wear all have been found to be crucial pollutants in highway runoff. The most critical pollutants included in the runoff of interurban roads such as total suspended solids, heavy metals, chlorides and nutrients, together with the factors affecting their concentration are been investigated. Existing legislation about drainage and highway stormwater management in United States and European Union as well as the federal agencies of the United States which have the responsibility to regulate drainage and stormwater management are also presented. Water pollution concerns in the Unites States are mainly addressed through the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, known as the Clean Water Act. Provisions within the Clean Water Act require all states to implement regulations in order to reduce the pollutant mass loading prior to discharging into water recipients. In European Union the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC sets common goals for the water management and created an overall water policy for management at an international level.

Thermogravimetric analysis combined with a mass spectroscopy detector was used to study the thermal stability of solid materials earmarked for processing by thermal desorption (for example during the amelioration of environmental damage).  The objective of the study was to verify the applicability of thermogravimetric analysis as a simple and fast tool capable of providing basic information about the behavior of a particular solid material during its heating to a given temperature. Samples of materials representing the spectrum of solids customarily treated during environmental remediation (soils, bricks, and concrete) were used as the model solid matrices. The measurements demonstrated a high informative power of thermogravimetric analysis, which may help predict many technologically important aspects of the thermal desorption process.

The results indicated that the 24-h average concentrations were below the indicative limits proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) (50 and 25 μg m^-3 for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 respectively). Relatively elevated instant concentration levels (>100 μg m^-3) were also recorded during specific activities and in conjunction with the temporal variation of the observed concentration levels raised questions regarding the side effects of cleaning activities.