Environmental variability and heavy metal concentrations from five lagoons in the Ionian Sea (Amvrakikos Gulf, W Greece)

• DOI: 10.3897/bdj.4.e8233
• Publication Date: 2016-10-27T11:36:12Z
• Authors: Katerina Vasileiadou; Christina Pavloudi; Ioanna Kalantzi; Eugenia Apostolaki; Giorgos Chatzigeo...; Eva Chatzinikolaou; Evangelos Pafilis; Nafsika Papageorgiou; Lucia Fanini; Spyridon Konstas; Nina Fragopoulou; Christos Arvanitidis
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; QH301-705.5; Amvrakikos Gulf, Environmental variables, Heavy metals, Lagoons; Biology and Life Sciences; 15. Life on land; Data Paper (Biosciences); 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; Amvrakikos Gulf; 13. Climate action; lagoons; 14. Life underwater; Biology (General); heavy metals; environmental variables; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Coastal lagoons are ecosystems of major importance as they host a number of species tolerant to disturbances and they are highly productive. Therefore, these ecosystems should be protected to ensure stability and resilience. The lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf form one of the most important lagoonal complexes in Greece. The optimal ecological status of these lagoons is crucial for the well-being of the biodiversity and the economic prosperity of the local communities. Thus, monitoring of the area is necessary to detect possible sources of disturbance and restore stability. The environmental variables and heavy metals concentrations, from five lagoons of Amvrakikos Gulf were measured from seasonal samplings and compared to the findings of previous studies in the area, in order to check for possible sources of disturbance. The analysis, showed that i) the values of the abiotic parameters vary with time (season), space (lagoon) and with space over time; ii) the variability of the environmental factors and enrichment in certain elements is naturally induced and no source of contamination is detected in the lagoons.