Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Organic Carbon in Main Rivers of the Western Greece

Results of a monitoring project for the water quality of three important rivers of western Greece
(Acheloos, Louros and Acherontas) are presented in this paper. The results include the concentrations
as well as the temporal and spatial distributions of nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, ammonia and dissolved
organic carbon for a period of twelve months (October 2002 to September 2003). Monthly samplings
took place in four sampling sites at the rivers Acheloos and Louros and two at the river Acherontas.
The samples were analyzed by standard spectrophometrical methods.
According to our measurements, Louros is the most polluted river as it concerns nitrogen compounds,
probably due to the increased human activities in its catchment area. It also occasionally accepts pollutants
from the small stream of Vossa.
Although Acheloos is the biggest and most important river for the whole territory, it seems not to be
heavily polluted. The chemical parameters level, indicates the enrichment of its water in nutrients,
from the water of Lisimahia lake that enters the river through the water lock of Dimikos. No significant
inflow of pollutants was observed in river Acherontas, since no remarkable spatial variation
recorded.