ABSTRACT. The detailed Marine Geological studies in Greece by IGME and other Greek Institutes started in the 1970s and was particularly extensive up to a few years ago. The main activity was mainly based in the funding of projects proposed and accepted by the European Commission and carried out in cooperation with other institutes in Greece and Europe. In parallel a number of applied researches were also carried out for the public and private sectors. The recent development of the ideas of the impacts of the forthcoming Climate Changes, mainly in the coastal areas, gave a new initiative in the applied marine geological studies increasing the required role of the marine geologists. In this presentation the results and experience are depicted from these main fields of Marine Geology : Upper Quaternary to Holocene Geology of the Greek seas,Researches for Useful Minerals, Earthquakes and Tsunamis , Definiton of the new and old shorelines and expected impacts from the Climatic changes , Prognostic Geology.

ABSTRACT. Most basins of Greece were filled with thick Neogene-Quaternary continental de-posits, which include a large number of mammal fossiliferous sites. The investiga-tions of the last 40 years in the various basins of Greece led to the discovery of many new fossiliferous sites. The extensive, long time and continuous excavations in the new fossiliferous sites as well as in the previously known ones - like the classical localities of Axios Valley, Pikermi and Samos Island - provided numerous fossils enriching remarkably the Greek fossil mammal record. The systematic study of these collections provided numerous data for their biochronology. Further magnetostratigraphic, radiometric or other methods of absolute chronology provided additional chronological data for the mammal faunas and the corresponding deposits. The correlation of all these data allowed the biostratigraphic classification of the continental Neogene-Quaternary deposits of Greece which is given in the biostratigraphic tables of the present article. From these tables it is clear that for some time-intervals (Late Miocene, Early Pleistocene) the data are abundant allowing a detailed biostratigraphy, but for some others (Early- Middle Miocene, Pliocene, and for some time-spans of Early Pleistocene) the data are limited or missing and cannot allow an accurate and complete biostratigraphy.

ABSTRACT. In western Anatolia, Turkey, the Neotectonics period was initiated in Eocene, following the formation of Izmir-Ankara suture zone. Monazite radiometric age determinations conducted within the last ten years suggest that the north – northeast directed post-collisional Cenozoic extension in western Turkey was started in late Oligocene. The Cenozoic extension continued into Miocene and caused formation of E-W trending major Graben systems. The Alaşehir and Büyük Menderes Grabens are two main east-west trending extensional basins located in the central part of Western Anatolia extended terrane (WAET). The two grabens join together to the east in the Denizli Graben area. The westward movement of the Anatolian plate within the last 5 m.y. caused a) formation of the high angle faults that bound the present flat topography of the Alasehir and Buyuk Menderes Grabens and b) N-S trending strike-slip faults that bound North trending basins of the northern Menderes Massif. The Western Anatolia Shear Zone (WASZ) separates the WAET from the Central Anatolia Extended Terrain where timing of the Cenozoic extension is younger and extension rates are probably less than the WAET. The shear zone contains mostly normal faults in the vicinity of the Gulf of Gokova. However, its movement is mostly oblique-slip from the vicinity of the town of Tavas towards the Lake of Acigol where it makes a northward bend and possibly joins the Eskisehir fault zone to the north of the town of Afyon. The WASZ bounds the Denizli Graben to the east where E-W striking normal faults and N-S striking oblique to strike-slip fault are common structural features. The WASZ is similar in its structural/tectonics setting to the Eastern California Shear zone of the Basins and Ranges of North America Extended terrane which is also composed of many normal to oblique-slip faults and separates two extended terrane with different timing and rates of extension. . Western Anatolia, Turkey experienced many devastating earthquakes during the historical times. Many of the ancient Greek/Roman city states, including Ephesus, Troy, and Hierapolis were destroyed several times by large earthquakes. During the second half of the 20th century, the region experienced two major large earthquakes giving normal fault focal mechanism solutions. They are the 1969, M=6.9 Alasehir and the 1970, M=7.1 Gediz earthquakes. These earthquakes had caused substantial damage and loss of life in the region. Although a M=7.4 earthquake similar to the 1999 Izmit Earthhquake is unlikely to happen in western Turkey because of the size and nature of active fault zones in the region, the active faults in the regions are capable of producing devastating earthquakes with M~7.0. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the kinematics of the Cenozoic extensional tectonics and earthquake potential of the major active faults zone, including the WASZ in the region, is very important.

ABSTRACT. Aegean extension is a process driven by slab rollback that, since 45 Ma, shows a two-stage evolution. From Middle Eocene to Middle Miocene it is accommo-dated by localized deformation leading to i) the exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks from mantle to crustal depths, ii) the exhumation of high-temperature rocks in core complexes and iii) the deposition of Paleogene sedi-mentary basins. Since Middle Miocene, extension is distributed over the whole Aegean domain giving a widespread development of onshore and offshore Neo-gene sedimentary basins. We reconstructed this two-stage evolution in 3D at Aegean scale by using available ages of metamorphic and sedimentary pro-cesses, geometry and kinematics of ductile deformation, paleomagnetic data and available tomographic models. The restoration model shows that the rate of trench retreat was around 0.6 cm/y during the first 30 My and then acceler-ated up to 3.2 cm/y during the last 15 My. The sharp transition observed in the mode of extension, localized versus distributed, which occurred in Middle Mio-cene correlates with the acceleration of trench retreat and is more likely a con-sequence of the Hellenic slab tearing documented by mantle tomography. The development of large dextral NE-SW strike-slip faults during the second stage of Aegean extension, since Middle Miocene, is illustrated by the 450 Km-long fault, recently put in evidence, offshore from Myrthes to Ikaria and onshore from Izmir to Balikeshir, in western Anatolia. Therefore, the interaction be-tween the Hellenic trench retreat and the westward displacement of Anatolia started in Middle Miocene, almost 10 Ma before the propagation of the North Anatolian Fault in the North Aegean. This raises a fundamental issue concern-ing the dynamic relationship between slab tearing and Anatolia displacement.

ABSTRACT. Twenty five years after a first attempt by Mascle & Martin (1990), this paper aims at delivering an updated and considerably richer, map of the offshore faults in the Aegean Sea. Reinterpretation of vintage analogue seismic profiles, interpretation of new profiles and records of swath bathymetry data made available in the last two decades, as well as relocation of published faults originally interpreted on low-resolution bathymetric maps, on the new, more accurate bathymetric background have enabled the preparation of a more precise and complete map of active faults occurring in the Aegean Sea. This attempt is a first step towards the creation of an offshore faults database.

ABSTRACT. Preliminary interpretation of swath bathymetry data and seismic profiles acquired during four cruises of "YPOTHER/Aegean Explorations" project aboard R/V Aegaeo provides insights into the fault network, fault kinematics and deformation pattern of the western part of the North Aegean Trough (NAT). The N40°E trending western part of the dextral North Anatolian Fault (NAF) runs along the southern margin of the NAT. Numerous high-angle fault splays initiate from and at low angle to NAF. They run firstly in NE-SW direction and they gradually turn to SE-NW forming an imbricate fault pattern, a nicely developed horsetail structure at the western termination of NAF. The horsetail pattern deforms the NAT's sedimentary infill forming elongate, curved, uplifting or subsiding tectonic blocks arranged along the fault splays. Instead of expected transtension, the Western NAT's infill displays dextral shearing and transpression associated with a major stress axis in NW-SE direction. The possible explanation for the transpressional deformation of the Western NAT infill may be related with the change of the trend of NAF from N40°E in the western trough to N70°E east of Lemnos Island.

ABSTRACT. Paikon and Tzena terranes are situated in the center part of Axios zone, between Almopia and Paionia ophiolitic belts. Tectonostratigraphic data reveal that both have affected by the same polyphase deformation and metamorphism, as well as that they show the same lithostratigraphic composition. First deformation took place during the Middle to Late Jurassic and is associated with ophiolite obduction, nappe – stacking, terrane accretion and crustal thickening (D1). Metamorphism does not exceed greenschist facies (M1). Relict HP-LT metamorphic assemblages predating M1 metamorphism, are possibly developed during subduction processes and overloading of the obducted ophiolites on the continental margin, characterized the initial stages of deformation. Compressional tectonics and intense thrusting with the same kinematics continued in Lower Cretaceous time, affected all pre-Upper Cretaceous units and the obducted ophiolites (D2), associated with low-greenschist metamorphism (M2). The first main extensional event occurs in the Late Cretaceous, related to basin formation and sedimentation (D3). During Paleocene to Eocene, D4 intense imbrication of all tectonic units towards mainly SW takes place again. Nappes collapse and finally crustal exhumation taken place during Oligocene to Miocene, associated with brittle low - angle normal faults, with a main top to the SW sense of movement (D5). In Miocene to recent times, brittle high - angle normal and strike-slip faults are formed in an extensional to transtensional strain regime (D6), associated with Neogene to Quaternary basin formation and terrane dispersion. The basement rocks of both terranes are of Pelagonian origin, exhumed as a multiple tectonic window.

ABSTRACT. Abstract The carbonate-platform-complex and the oceanic formations of the central Pelagonian zone of the Hellenides evolved in response to a sequence of plate-tectonic episodes of ocean spreading, plate convergence and ophiolite obduction. The bio-stratigraphies of the carbonate platform and the oceanic successions, show that the Triassic-Early Jurassic platform was coeval with an ocean where pillow basalts and radiolarian cherts were being deposited. After convergence began during late Early-Jurassic - Middle Jurassic time, the oceanic leading edge of the Pelagonian plate was subducted beneath the leading edge of the oceanic, overriding plate. The platform subsided while a supra-subduction, volcanic-island-arc evolved. Biostratigraphic and geochemical evidence shows that the platform and the oceanic floor, temporarily became subaerially exposed during Callovian time. This “Callovian event” is suggested to have taken place as oceanic lithosphere first made compressional, tectonic contact with the carbonate platform, initiating a basal detachment fault, along which the platform was thrust upwards. The central Pelagonian zone became an extensive land area that was supplied with laterite from an ophiolite highland. A similar emergence of Vardar ophiolite most likely took place in the Guevgueli area. The Callovian emergence shows that the initial ophiolite obduction onto the platform took place about 25 million years before the final emplacement of the ophiolite during Valanginian time.

ABSTRACT. We focus on the central and eastern southern onshore parts of the Corinth Rift (CR), where basement outcrops are few and of limited extent, to study three key locations: a basement inlier east of Xylokastro, a new outcrop of the Tripolis Unit at the western edge of the Xylokastro horst, and a re-mapped and re-evaluated outcrop of the Pindos Unit northwest of Nemea. The results of this study show that there are elements which could help overcome the significant difficulties in our understanding of the structure and evolution of the rift, posed by the lack of basement outcrops in the central and eastern onshore parts of the Rift. This, in turn, calls for a re-consideration of the generally accepted idea that the broader onshore eastern sector of the CR lacks significant basement and intrabasinal faults.

ABSTRACT. The environment has long been known to affect health, with the details beginning to become clear over the past 300 years, through such developments as verifiable theory (e.g. the emergence of the germ theory of infection), comprehensive observations (all sciences) and enhanced analytical techniques (e.g. in chemistry, clinical sciences, epidemiology).

Health is multi-factorial, with influences ranging from genes and diet through lifestyle and culture to international pressures (including trade and war). Nevertheless, our understanding has largely been built through a reductionist approach to ill-health and disease, by focussing on ever narrower spheres of interest. This method has been very successful in detailing the health effects of many substances: metals and metalloids (e.g. Pb, As, Cr); asbestos, radioactivity (e.g. U, Rn, Cs) and organic compounds (petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides).

Public Health action arising from this knowledge concentrates on communities rather than individuals, resulting in the prevention paradox, where the majority of cases of a disease come from a population at low or moderate risk, with only a minority of cases arising from the much smaller population at high risk. So, in environmental terms, interest is often focussed on high profile situations with, as yet, not enough attention paid to more moderate risks and exposures. The burden of disease approach pioneered by the World Health Organization is starting to resolve this, showing that, globally, from a few chemicals with available data, there are around five million deaths annually, with over 50% of them in children under 15 years of age.

Communicating such scientific understandings to the lay community (which really includes scientists of other disciplines as well as the public) brings particular joys and problems, some arising from different perceptions and paradigms.

The challenges (and delights) of partnership working between environmental scientists and health professionals have never been greater, nor more rewarding: chemical mixtures and statistical confounders, new sciences such as genomics and environmental toxicology, social and health inequalities and deprivation. How will this affect future research opportunities? What is the role of health professionals? What can they offer environmental scientists, including geologists? How should environmental scientists, including geologist, interact with health professionals? What does the Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health offer both?

ABSTRACT. The environmental geochemistry of Ptolemais lignites and intermediate steriles (IS), as well as of related combustion by-products (fly ash-FA and bottom ash-BA), has been investigated. Bulk analyses for major elements, combined with SEM-EDS, showed that Si, Ca, and Fe, are the most abundant elements, associated with various relevant micro-particles. Concerning trace elements, and potentially hazardous metals and metalloids, further analyses revealed, among others, Cr, Ni, V, U, Th and As. Chromium is decreased in IS samples, although it is in excess in lignites (max: 64 - 142 ppm) and in FA and BA. Nickel and V are increased in IS (max: 169 and 184 ppm respectively) and, as expected, more concentrated in FA and BA. Arsenic is increased in ashes (min - max: 10 - 16 ppm), while actinides, i.e. U and Th, related to potential radioactivity problems, are also concentrated in FA and BA (min - max: 14 - 17 ppm and 14 -15 ppm, respectively).

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study is to identify potential toxic or environmentally relevant organic compounds in the aquifers of the Amynteo hydrogeological basin and to investigate a possible link of the identified organic contaminants with the Pliocene Amynteo lignites. For these purposes ten groundwater samples were collected from this area. A sequential liquid-liquid extraction procedure was applied to approximately 1000 mL aliquots of the groundwater samples using dichloromethane as extractant. All extracts were analysed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas-Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) by means of a non-target screening approach. The results of the GC-MS analyses of the extracts are presented and discussed in this work. The identified organic compounds with a potential environmental relevance are: 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB), triacetine, isopropyl palminate, isopropyl myristate, tributyl-, triethyl- and trioctylphosphates, N,N-dibutyl formamide, methyl dihydrojasmonate, nonylphenols and bumetrizole. However, all these organic micro-pollutants can derive either by anthropogenic emissions (plasticizers, industrial pollutants, pesticides etc.) or by contaminations from the pump and the borehole structure itself. Noteworthy, coal derived organic molecules (such as anthracene, fluorene, pyrene, phenanthrene etc.) have not been detected. Hence, an influence of coal deposits to the groundwater quality is considered negligible.

ABSTRACT. Forty two soil, apple and leaf samples from Agia area, central Greece, were collected and analyzed for their content in 7 major elements (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P and S). The average concentration of the determined elements follows the order: concentration in soils > concentration in leaves > concentration in apples. Elements, such as Fe that is found enriched in the soils of the study area, due to local geology, is not correlated with its concentrations in apples and leaves, possibly because of its association with resistant minerals. On the other hand, the relationship of some elements (i.e., K, P, S) that are constituents of the agrochemicals applied in the area, indicate that they are more readily available by the trees, either because they are associated with less resistant (clay) minerals, or because they derive through the application of agrochemical products (i.e., phosphate fertilisers, fungicides etc.).

ABSTRACT. Five bulk clay samples were characterized by XRD, XRF, FTIR and SEM and tested for their effectiveness in removing lead ions from aqueous solutions. The materials studied were montmorillonite-rich [Kimolos Island, Greece], palygorskite-rich [Macedonia, Greece and western Australia], saponite-rich [Macedonia, Greece] and palygorskite-saponite-rich [Macedonia, Greece] clays. Laboratory experiments included CEC determination and sorption batch tests. The main factors investigated were the pH and ionic strength of the suspension, as well as the amount of sorbent and the time of reaction whereas metal concentration (50mg/l Pb) and reaction temperature (22oC) were kept constant. The greatest potential for Pb2+ sorption was found for the natural mixture of palygorskite-saponite clay.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of natural and synthetic zeolitic materials as potential amendments for the rehabilitation of mine degraded areas. Two types of natural zeolite tuffs, clinoptilolite- and mordenite-rich originating from Samos Island, Greece, were used as low cost modifiers. In addition, the synthetic zeolite Na-P1, produced from lignite fly ash of the Meliti Lignite fired Power Station (Florina, Greece), was used. Fly ash was converted into synthetic zeolite via a low temperature alkaline hydrothermal treatment. In order to evaluate the aquatic solubility and potential bioavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soils of the mining area of Lavrion, specific soil amendments were used in leaching experiments. The Na-P1zeolite proved to be the most effective among the tested amendments for in situ de-contamination of mining soils. Comparing the two natural zeolites used, the mordenite-rich tuff exhibited better results than the clinoptilolite-rich, for the reduction of the potential bioavailability of almost all the studied heavy metals. Despite the high trace element content of the specific soils, it was observed that the Glaucium flavum, a plant that grows in the contaminated soils of Lavrion, does not accumulate high concentrations of metals; therefore the high toxic element content of soils does not always influence the physiology of the plants.

ABSTRACT. Sandstone of the Pentalofos formation from the Mesohellenic Trough was exam-ined as a potential reservoir for CO2 sequestration. Experiments were carried out into batch reactors for 6 months by mixing a simplified porewater solution saturat-ed with CO2 (150 bar, 70oC) with crushed sandstone. The sandstone is mainly com-posed of carbonates, feldspars and quartz, and secondly of clays and phyllosili-cates. Chemical analysis of aqueous samples showed an increase in the concentra-tion of dissolved ions as the experiment progressed. Geochemical kinetic models that were constructed using the PHREEQC geochemical code showed that the fluid chemistry is controlled by carbonate and feldspar dissolution, clay and quartz pre-cipitation and cation exchange reactions. The proposed models were also used to estimate the future changes in mineralogy of the sandstone in order to evaluate its suitability as a CO2 reservoir.

ABSTRACT. This study aims at showing the numerical modelling of earthquake ground motion in the Thessaloniki urban area, using a 3D spectral element approach. The availability of detailed geotechnical/geophysical data together with the seismological information regarding the relevant fault sources allowed us to con-struct a large-scale 3D numerical model suitable for generating physics-based ground shaking scenarios within the city of Thessaloniki up to maximum frequencies of about 2 Hz. Results of the numerical simulation of the destructive MW6.5 1978 Volvi earthquake are addressed, showing that realistic estimates can be obtained. Shaking maps in terms of ground motion parameters such as PGV are used to discuss the main seismic wave propagation effects at a wide scale.

ABSTRACT. Near fault ground motions can be significantly different than those further away from the seismic source. Within the near fault zone ground motions are drastically influenced by the rupture mechanism, the direction of rupture propagation relative to the site and possible permanent displacement related to the fault slip. During the past two decades several sophisticated theoretical or/and empirical methods have been proposed to simulate near fault motion requiring input parameters that hardly can be provided with accuracy, leading thus to extended parametric studies and un-certainties. In this paper, a simple but effective analytical model that mathematically represents near fault ground motions (Mavroeidis and Papageorgiou, 2003) is ap-plied and tested in the case of Cephalonia, Feb. 3, 2014 earthquake (Μ6.0). Its valid-ity and reliability are examined and an effort to distinguish source and possible site effects is attempted for the town of Lixouri (LXR1 accelerograph) where the highest damage levels was observed.

ABSTRACT. In order to re-evaluate the seismic hazard in the broader Aegean area, a modified time-independent seismicity model is used. A Monte-Carlo procedure is used to cre-ate synthetic earthquake catalogs with specific characteristics regarding their time, space and magnitude distributions. Moreover, particular geometrical characteristics, such as subducting and oblique seismic zones, are also taken into account in the synthetic catalogs generation. A significantly revised earthquake catalog, all available fault plane solutions and information on the seismotectonics of the broader Aegean area were considered in order to propose a new updated model of seismic zones for this area. Seismicity pa-rameters for the new seismic zones were calculated and the corresponding synthetic earthquake catalogs were generated using the proposed procedure. The distribution of the expected values for ground motion parameters (e.g. PGA, PGV) was estimated using synthetic catalogs for several sites of interest, by per-forming computations directly on all earthquakes of each catalog. Computations were performed for a dense grid of sites and seismic hazard estimates were deter-mined both directly from the peak ground motion distribution as well as from fitted extreme values Gumbel distribution. Ground motion parameters were also calcu-lated using classic seismic hazard assessment algorithms (EqRISK), in order to evaluate the compatibility of the proposed method with conventional approaches.

ABSTRACT. The quantification of uncertainties and choise of the seismogenic zonation are cru-cial points in the probabilistic assessment of seismic hazard. This study followed the structure of a "logic tree" of 16 branches, in order to quantify uncertainties. It consists of two seismogenic zonations - one specifically developed for the North Aegean Trough based on recent swath mapping, geophysical and seismotectonic data, and the regional zonation used in the seismic hazard map of Greece. Two dif-ferent approaches for the seismicity model definition and four attenuation rela-tionships valid for Greece were used. The assessment of seismic hazard was ob-tained using the CRISIS software. All seismic hazard maps refer to the horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) with 475 years return period. Using the new de-veloped zonation, maximum PGA values of 300 Gal are associated with the North Sporades area and the deepest part of the North Sporades basin. Results obtained by the regional seismogenic zonation of Greece shift maximum PGA values north-east of Athos peninsula. We conclude that the new zonation produces results that better address the seismotectonic regime of the North Aegean area.

ABSTRACT. This paper aims to determine the exposure-based earthquake risk posed in the Attica Basin, Greece using a GIS based methodology. The hazard level is based on grouped geological formations according to the New Ground Anti-Earthquake Regulation of Greece and the structural setting of the area. Vulnerability is calculated using two different methodologies. The first one uses a deterministic approach by attributing population values to each building block divided by the acreage of each municipality and the second one uses a probabilistic approach by using centroids based on a building block level and then creating their kernel density. Both of these approaches are combined with land use maps to create the final vulnerability layers. Risk is calculated in two ways, using the product and a weighted overlay of the hazard and vulnerability layers. In the Risk maps, proof of concept comes from overlaying the damages from the earthquakes of 1981 and 1999 that affected Attica Basin. Moreover, both the maps show high Risk probability in the area of the east part of the Attica Basin but without significant damages from past earthquakes. This suggests that the Kifisos Fault Zone might act as a seismic barrier depending of the location of the epicentre.

ABSTRACT. Sedimetological analysis of submarine fan deposits, both north and south of Evinos River, east of Mesolongi town, showed that there are different sedimentological conditions. The southern part outcropped between Klokova and Varasova Mountains, influenced by Gavrovo thrust activity, is characterized by coarse grained inner fan deposits, and sourced both from Pindos chain and the uplifted Klokova and Varasova Mountains. Gavrovo thrust activity, took place during the sedimentation producing intrabasinal highs, changing basin geometry. In the northern part, where outer fan deposits passes upwards to inner fans, there is no obvious influence of Gavrovo thrust but mostly the influence of internal Ionian Thrust. Between the two studied areas there is a high deformed area, about 1km wide, trending parallel to the Evinos River in a ENE direction, showing that probable Evinos River flows on a strike-slip fault.

ABSTRACT. We examine the structure of the southern faulted margin of Geraneia Moun-tains, controlled by two marginal faults, namely the Loutraki and Kakia Skala Faults, which have been active in the Quaternary; however, Holocene activity on these structures has not been verified. Structural observations at the proba-ble overlap zone between these two faults, suggest that they became soft-linked, or linkage ended at its early stage, before activity migrated basinwards, with consequent footwall backtilt. The affinity of the kinematics in the accommoda-tion zone with the present-day extensional stress field might hint at possible Late Quaternary activity on these two major faults.

ABSTRACT. Results from a multidisciplinary investigation at the Lastros-Sfaka Graben located in eastern Crete are presented. 1.3 km of the Lastros fault was scanned with t-LiDAR and we identified areas with minor external influences (anthropogenic, depositional or erosional) to extract throw rates. Preliminary postglacial throw rates are 0.67 ± 0.15 mm/yr, which is significantly less than stated in the literature. Cemented colluvium is located on the Lastros fault, forming hanging-wall talus lobes and sheets of varying thickness attached to the fault plane. Stable isotope analysis on the cement indicates that it has a meteoric origin and precipitated from water at temperatures between 5 and 8°C. Field mapping and GPR shows that cemented colluvium is also present within the hanging-wall subsurface. Trenching (road cut) investigations on the Sfaka fault identified fill material most likely deposited soon after the last palaeoearthquakes that occurred on the fault; 14C dating is currently being carried out to date this fill material.

ABSTRACT. New results for the recent tectonic activity in the northern part of the Gulf of Cor-inth rift are presented. Geological mapping and morphotectonic study re-populate the area of study with numerous active and possible active faults. The area is dom-inated by individual and segmented normal faults along with major structures like Marathias and Delphi-Arachova faults. The results are in accordance with recent studies that reveal a more complex and wider structure of Corinth Rift to the north.

ABSTRACT. Six normal fault zones, with throws ranging from a few meters up to 50 m, were studied within an active, open pit, lignite mine in Ptolemais. Each fault was mapped 20 times over a period of five years because at intervals of ca. 3 months working faces are taken back between 20 and 50 m exposing fresh fault outcrops for mapping. Various resolutions of photographs and structural measurements were imported into a fully georeferenced 3D structural interpretation package, resulting in a seismic scale and outcrop resolution 3D fault volume with outcrop and panoramic view photographs acting as the seismic sections in equivalent seismic surveys. Low resolution 3D models for the fault system structure at mine scale and higher-resolution 3D models for the fault zone structure were produced after geological interpretation. These 3D fault models can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of fault zone structure.

ABSTRACT. Faults typically form components of complex systems in which dynamic and kinematic interactions are an essential element of fault growth on earthquake and geological timescales. These interactions, which on geological timescales are typically manifest as displacement transfer associated with fault intersection (hard-linkage) or distributed deformation (soft-linkage), influence fault dimensions, displacement patterns and growth (Nicol et al. 2010; Journal of Structural Geology 32, 1101-1113). Fault interaction and growth over timescales of up to millions of years have been constrained by analysis of faulting with displacements of millimetres to kilometres using outcrop and seismic-reflection data. Many of the faults analysed experienced rapid fault propagation followed by prolonged displacement accumulation. The resulting near-constant lengths established from an early stage in the fault history are attributed to retardation of lateral propagation by interaction between fault tips. These interactions are interpreted to result in near-linear along strike displacement profiles and increasing displacement gradients with fault size (i.e. length and maximum displacement). The increase in displacement gradients is associated with a steepening of slope on fault displacement vs length (D-L) plots and with rising strain across fault systems. For immature low-strain fault systems in which individual faults have experienced few slip events the slope of D-L plots is typically <1, while in mature higher-strain systems this slope is generally >1. The increasing D-L slopes is interpreted to primarily reflect a combination of tip-line retardation arising from interactions and preferential death (or longer recurrence intervals between individual slip increments) of smaller faults. As a consequence, large faults accrue their cumulative displacement in many more slip events than small faults. The available data are consistent with fault growth models in which the hierarchy of fault size is established rapidly, perhaps in many cases due to fault reactivation, with the longest faults moving fastest, for the longest duration and being most likely to benefit from strain localisation. Despite the relatively systematic nature of fault growth on longer time scales, the established importance of fault interaction as indicated by displacement transfer (whether by hard- or soft-linkage) requires that stress-dependent fault interactions must also be occurring on shorter time scales. These stress-dependent interactions should, in principle, be reflected in temporal and spatial variations in fault displacement rates. Here we examine the relations between fault displacement rates on short (<25 kyr) and long (>1 Myr) timescales in the Taranaki Rift, New Zealand, using trench and coastal outcrop together with onshore and offshore deep (~<5 km) seismic-reflection lines (Mouslopoulou et al. 2012; Journal of Structural Geology 36, 71-80). Displacement rates on many individual faults become increasingly variable on shorter time scales, a characteristic which is attributed to a combination of variable earthquake behaviour (i.e. recurrence interval and single event slip) and sampling artefacts. Comparison between paleoearthquake and million-year (seismic-reflection) displacements on faults in the Taranaki Rift, and elsewhere (Mouslopoulou et a. 2009; EPSL 278, 186-197), shows that the number of faults in the system, their lengths, displacement rates and earthquake recurrence interval differ significantly for different observational time windows. More specifically, short-term fault data (< 25 kyr) generally overestimate the long-term average displacement rates of individual faults and underestimate the number of active faults as well as their total length and their associated earthquake recurrence interval. Active faults that displace the ground surface by <~1 m are not routinely resolved, resulting in underestimates of fault lengths by up to 85% and incomplete temporal and spatial sampling of paleoearthquakes on faults with short-term displacement rates of ~<0.1 mm/yr. Variations of earthquake recurrence interval and slip of up to an order of magnitude contribute to undersampling of those faults which have experienced few earthquakes during the Holocene (Nicol et al. 2009; Geology 37, 911-913). In these circumstances, seismic reflection data have been used to improve estimates of maximum fault rupture lengths and to identify potential low displacement rate (<0.1 mm/yr) active faults that were not previously recognised. Our study shows that integrated datasets provide much improved estimates of seismic hazard in the rift, a conclusion which is supported by earthquake studies in other tectonically active areas, including Christchurch, New Zealand (see below). Our analysis In the Taranaki Rift has important implications for earthquake predictions and is consistent with the notion that the catastrophic earthquakes that recently (September 4th, 2010 and February 22nd, 2011) hit Christchurch, New Zealand, show that active faults hidden beneath the Earth’s surface are capable of generating large-magnitude earthquakes (Mouslopoulou et al. 2012; Journal of Structural Geology 36, 71-80). Analysis of the Taranaki Rift shows that the integration of different timescale datasets provides a basis for identifying active faults not observed at the ground surface, estimating maximum fault-rupture lengths, inferring maximum short-term displacement rates and improving earthquake hazard assessment. Because fault displacement rates become increasingly irregular (both faster and slower) on shorter timescales, this inevitably leads to incomplete sampling of the active-fault population. Surface traces have been recognised for <50% of the active faults and along 50% of their lengths. By contrast, the similarity of along-strike displacement profiles for short and long time intervals suggests that fault lengths and maximum single-event displacements have not changed over the last 3.6 Ma. Therefore, rate changes are likely to reflect temporal adjustments in earthquake recurrence intervals due to fault interactions and associated migration of earthquake activity within the rift. An appreciation of these rate changes is an essential requirement for improved earthquake risking.

ABSTRACT. Preliminary data on heavy metals concentrations in soil and edible plants of Damour-Lebanon are presented for the first time. Concentration ranges of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Fe, Ba, Pb and Cd in soils and vegetables collected from urban allotments in Damour were determined and assessed taking into account the pseudototal (extracted by aqua regia) and mobilizable (0.43 M acetic acid extractable) concentrations of the elements in the rhizosphere soil of the plants as well as the total concentrations in edible plant tissue. Average elemental concentrations in urban allotments are low in general. No detectable concentrations of the non-essential heavy metals Pb and As were measured in the studied plants while concentrations of micronutrient elements in plants were within normal ranges. The collected data indicate that previous land use is an important factor controlling heavy metal content in soil and that there is a complex mechanism controlling micronutrient uptake by plants.

ABSTRACT. The main objective of the present study is to assess Cr(VI) concentrations in groundwater and surface water of Loutraki and Schinos areas. Totally, 38 samples were collected from both areas from April to May 2015. Both surface water and groundwater are of bicarbonate-magnesium type (Mg-HCO3-) and present very high concentrations of Mg2+ (up to 266mg/L) whereas the Cr(VI) concentrations vary among the different water groups (<1,6μg/L-120μg/L). Only 2 out of 15 boreholes of Loutraki area have Cr concentrations above the permissible level for drinking water (50μg/L for Cr(tot)) with the maximum Cr(VI) concentration being 74μg/L. In the area of Schinos, three wells have also high concentrations of Cr(VI) ranging from 40μg/L to 120μg/L. The absence of industrial activity in both areas is indicative of the natural origin of Cr(VI) in groundwater which is probably related to the dissolution and oxidation of primary Cr bearing minerals derived from ophiolithic rocks of Geraneia Mountains.

ABSTRACT. A HEU-type zeolitic tuff of very-high quality (88 wt.% clinoptilolite-heulandite) has been used as an additive to natural soils, aiming to reduce the produced nitrate load in leachates, following a common irrigation scheme. Zeolitic tuff has been added and mixed with agricultural soil in three different proportions (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%) corresponding to an application of 500, 1000 and 1500 kg per acre. The control soil (without zeolitic tuff) and the three mixtures were exposed in a ten weeks experiment, in which, specific doses of irrigation water enriched in nitrates were added. Results of leachates analyses revealed that the addition of 0.2% zeolitic tuff is not effective and the mixture of soil-zeolitic tuff appears to have similar behaviour with the untreated (reference) soil sample. On the contrary, zeolitic tuff additions by 0.4% and 0.6% showed remarkable results and reduced the nitrate load of leachates by 81 and 86%, respectively. Hence, the impacts from the application of very-high quality HEU-type zeolitic tuff in agricultural soils could be rather positive towards environmental protection and rational farming, an in line with the goals and objectives of the new common agricultural policy imposed by European Union.

ABSTRACT. Antimony, an emergent global contaminant, that is hydrothermally discharged along with other epithermal metals(-loids) (Au, As, Hg, Ag, Tl, Ag) onto Kolumbo volcano’s shallow (<500 m water depth) crater seabed, is fixed either in pyrite, orpiment-like As-sulfides, and ferrihydrite-like Fe-oxy(hydro)oxides, or forms independent Pb(Zn)-Sb sulfosalts, of layered Sb-rich (up to 2.2 wt%) chimneys. High concentrations of Sb (≤ 27.2 wt%) are found in early colloform chemically-zoned hydrothermal pyrite, and later orpiment (As2S3)-type As-sulfide phases (≤16.09 wt %), along individual micron-scale growth zones. Antimony in pyrite may occur in the relatively more toxic trivalent (or lower valence) (Sb3+) rather than pentavalent (Sb5+) forms. Lead (Pb) always occurs with Sb in growth zones where the abundances of Sb and Pb vary inversely with Fe and S, suggesting that Sb and Pb occur either as homogeneously distributed sulfosalt nanoparticles of Sb and Pb and/or lattice bound trace elements. These findings indicate the solid phases that fix Sb on the seafloor are crucial for high─ grade concentration during shallow-water hydrothermal polymetallic mineralization, and reducing the high hydrothermal flux of this notorious environmental toxin to seawater, near the fishing area of Santorini that is also one of the most popular tourist places in the world.

ABSTRACT. Geological material, of greenish color, filling interspaces in altered Triassic pillow lavas of Lamia area (central Greece) was studied, for the first time in the literature. According to XRD and SEM-EDS data it predominantly consists of calcite, zeolites and clay minerals. The zeolites concern thomsonite and analcime. The clay minerals, on the basis of XRD, FTIR and Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements, constitute an Fe-bearing phase of the illlite-glauconite-celadonite group (most likely Fe-illite).

ABSTRACT. We present for the first time the extent and magnitude of Cu accumulation in calcareous vineyard soils from Nemea, Greece, as result of intensive application of Cu-based fungicidal sprays. Surface (0-20 cm) soil samples were collected from 40 vineyard plots covering the whole agricultural region of Nemea devoted to viticul-ture. In 20 randomly selected vineyards, we also collected soil at 50 cm depth. Ma-jor soil properties were determined (pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and equivalent calcium carbonate contents, grain size distribution). Copper concentrations in Nemea vineyard soils (33.1 – 291 mg kg-1) were similar to those reported in the soils of vineyards in other parts of Europe. Copper has been migrated down the soil profile without reaching the background concentrations at 50 cm depth, probably as result of soil translocation by tillage practices. We did not find differences in Cu availability between the surface and deep soil samples after applying the DTPA chemical extraction. The DTPA-extracted Cu concentrations were largely dependent on the total soil Cu content, indicating a common source of the two metal forms. The Cu-enriched soils represent an environmental issue of concern if other cultivated plants will replace the vineyard plots.

ABSTRACT. Stress transfer due to the coseismic slip of strong earthquakes, along with fault population characteristics, constitutes one of the most determinative factors for evaluating the occurrence of future events. The stress Coulomb (ΔCFF) evolution-ary model in Mygdonia basin (N.Greece) is based on the coseismic changes of strong earthquakes (M≥6.0) from 1677 until 1978 and the tectonic loading ex-pressed with slip rates along major faults. In the view of stress transfer mechanisms, ΔCFF is also calculated onto fault planes, along with the segmented fault zone from Thessaloniki to Gerakarou and N.Apollonia (TG-NAp FZ). Normal fault segments bound the basin from the south and currently compose the most active neotectonic zone. The association of the spatial distribution of seismicity (2000-2014) with the stress enhanced areas is also investigated. Results demonstrate that the earthquake locations are strongly influenced by the stress transfer from past strong earthquakes and their focal properties. Since the stress build-up occurs fast, results are discussed in terms of hazard assessment by defining potential locations for future events.

ABSTRACT. The evaluation of ambient seismic noise at the Hellenic Unified Seismic Network (HUSN) stations is investigated in this study. Ambient vibration recordings combined with the horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratio technique helps in characterizing local site effects. This technique was applied at 17 sites ambient noise measurements. We selected a number of 1-hr waveform segments during day and night for summer and winter. For each site the H/V spectral ratio was calculated and the results were combined with geological and geophysical information. The goal was to show the network performance as far as the station quality and noise level at each site concerns in order to provide possible structural improvements, seismic station relocations or to detecting operational problems.

ABSTRACT. We present a detailed study of various shear wave velocity, VS, profiles at TST site of Euroseistest test-site. We benefit from the availability of 62 VS models derived from seismic interferometry, stress–strain analysis and annealing simulation based on earthquake data, conventional seismic prospecting (surface wave inversion, cross-hole and downhole tests), and seismic noise array measurements, that when grouped in five lead to corresponding averaged VS profiles. The estimate of VS models differs depending on the technique used. The observed disparity with respect to the average reference model, albeit small, becomes significant at certain depths and is associat-ed with the existence of strong vertical discontinuities, introducing an uncertainty on the interface definition between the main formations. Results from site amplification study, based on these profiles, show an analogous uncertainty leading to a certain underestimation with respect to the reference model, which should be treated with caution when engineering applications are involved.

ABSTRACT. Damage scenarios are necessary tools for stakeholders, in order to prepare protection strategies and a total emergency post-earthquake plan. To this aim, four seismic hazard models were developed for the city of Kalamata, according to stochastic simulation of the ground motion, using site amplification functions derived from ambient noise HVSR measurements. The structural vulnerability of the city was assessed following an empirical macroseismic model, developed for the European urban environment (EMS-98). The impact of the vulnerability due to the seismic hazard potential is also investigated by means of synthetic response spectral ratios at 108 sites of the city. The expected damage grade per building block, is calculated by combining vulnerability with the respective seismic intensities, derived for the four seismic sources. The importance of the followed methodology for implementing microzonation studies is emphasized, since the expected influence of the ground motion amplification due to local soil conditions has been approximated in detail. Moreover, new fragility curves for the main structural types in Kalamata are proposed for each seismic scenario.

ABSTRACT. In this study we estimate the spectral decay factor κ0 for the EUROSEISTEST array. Site conditions range from soft sediments to hard rock over 14 surface and 6 down-hole accelerographs. First, we separate local and regional high-frequency attenua-tion and measure κ0. Second, we use the existing knowledge of the geological profile and material properties to correlate κ0 with different site characterisation parame-ters (Vs30, resonant frequency, depth-to-bedrock). Third, we use our results to im-prove our physical understanding of κ0. We propose a conceptual model comprising two new notions. On the one hand, we observe that κ0 stabilises for high Vs values; this may indicate the existence of regional values for hard rock κ0. If so, we propose that borehole measurements may be useful in determining them. On the other hand, we find that material damping may not suffice to account for the total measured at-tenuation. We propose that, apart from damping, additional site attenuation may be caused by scattering from small-scale profile variability. If this is so, then geotech-nical damping measurements may not suffice to infer overall crustal attenuation un-der a site; but starting with a regional (borehole) value and adding damping, we might define a lower bound for site-specific κ0.

ABSTRACT. In the present paper, the earthquake occurrences in the area of Japan, are studied by a semi Markov model which is considered homogeneous in time. The data applied refer to earthquakes of large magnitude (>6.0R) during the period 1900-2012. We considered 9 seismic zones derived from the typical 11 zones for the area of Japan and 3 magnitude scales. The Semi Markov model used, has a finite state space, which is defined by the Cartesian product of Zones and the 3 magnitude scales defined above. We applied the data to describe the interval transition probabilities for the states and the model's limiting behaviour for which is sufficient an interval of time of seven years. The time unit of the model is considered to be one day. Some interesting results, concerning the interval transition probabilities and the limiting state vector, are derived.

ABSTRACT. Our fieldwork in the area of Kato Seli of Mt Vermion suggests that the Vermion Nappe is not only tectonically overlying the Maastrichtian flysch of the Pelagoni-an Zone, but also a Jurassic melange that overlies the Triassic-Jurassic marbles of the Pelagonian Zone. Moreover, between the Vermion Nappe and the underlying melange, tectonic slivers of meta-sandstones–meta-rudites are tectonically emplaced. This calls for a reassessment of the emplacement of the Vermion Nappe and its role in the geotectonic evolution of the area.

ABSTRACT. The transient electromagnetic method (TEM) has gained increasing popularity over the last years especially in hydrogeophysical and geotectonic applications. TEM-Fast 48HPC was used for collecting the sounding data during summer 2015. The main purpose of this work was the definition of the geotectonic characteristics at the Southern area of the city of Chania by means of TEM-Fast sounding survey which was carried out in the summer of 2015. Detailed geological survey was applied prior the geophysical measurements and all the available borehole logs were collected. All data were integrated to provide a reliable geotectonic model of the area under investigation. Joint faults systems was detected which are in agreement with the independent geophysical and tectonic studies in the area. This work shows clearly the applicability and efficiency of the TEM in studying complex geotectonic environment.

ABSTRACT. We present a methodology leading to the identification of neotectonic blocks based solely on geomorphological features of the study area (Heraklion basin, Crete Island, Greece). The main idea behind this methodology is that individual crustal blocks are being deformed more or less uniformly in successive defor-mation stages. This uniformity in deformation is reflected on the morphological characteristics of the block. In order to estimate the overall effect of neotecton-ic deformation, a series of steps is carried out. The first step consists of the sem-iautomatic GIS-based mapping of the lithology and the tectonic components. The second step consists of the determination of the crustal blocks of the exam-ined area. The use of the first and the second steps leads to the extraction of the final step that includes the calculation of an extremely important index, the Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), which is the basis for assessing the neotecton-ic regime, based solely on the morphotectonics.

ABSTRACT. The Acıpayam Fault is an active fault segment which is located on the central part of Fethiye Burdur Fault Zone in SW Turkey. According to the Active Fault Map of Turkey published by MTA (Turkey), it is described as a Quaternary fault. Acıpayam Fault extends Acıpayam at northeast to Akköprü Dam at southwest. The general strike of fault is N 35°E, approximately 60 km long and it’s a normal fault with minor sinistral strike-slip component. The fault is composed of three fault section, which are named as Örenköy, Olukbaşı and Yolçatı, seperated from each other by step-overs. In this study, active tectonic features of Acıpayam fault are investigated and paleoismological trench surveys are perfomed at the Örenköy fault section. Two cross trenches were excavated along the fault. The samples collected from the trenches were dated by 14C method. Örenköy trenches were photographed by the Paleoseismological Three Dimensional Virtual Photography Method, which is a new tecnique for paleoseismology. According to the trench microstratigraphy, structural data and dating results, Acıpayam fault is described as a Holocene fault. The date of last event that occurred on the Acıpayam fault is between 3030 ± 30 BP and 2410 ± 30 BP.

ABSTRACT. The Southern Marmara Region is an active deformation area, which is a transition zone between the strike-slip tectonics manifested by the North Anatolian Fault Sys-tem and the N-S extensional regime of the Aegean Region.

We have reviewed tectonic and geological structure of the region, based on seismological studies. We have obtained a total of 37 earthquake moment tensor solutions between 1953 and 2015. In addition, stress tensor analysis has been carried out using 37 earthquake moment tensor solutions. Also long term seismicity were investigated and a,b, Mc values were calculated and mapped. Moment tensor solutions indicate that the source of these earthquakes are mostly NE-trending dextral strike-slip faults and some of them are E-W trending dip-slip normal faults. The stress tensor analysis shows that the direction of the regional compressive stress is NW-SE.

The temporal and spatial distrubution of the large earthquakes (1944, 1953, 1964) indicate that the ruptures unilaterally propagate from SW to NE. The 1855 earthquake had been occurred to the east of Manyas Lake. The elapsed time (160 year) and regional stress transfer suggest that the segments to the east of Manyas Lake form a probable seismic gap and this area has a high earthquake risk.

ABSTRACT. The North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) is one of the most destructive fault all over the world. After Izmit and Düzce earthquakes, the projects on monitoring the fault motion increase using instrumental tools like GPS, InSAR, LIDAR, creepmeter, etc. The central part of the NAFZ from Karlıova to Vezirköprü has almost strike slip mechanism. The western part of the central NAFZ from Vezirköprü to Bolu has transpressive character. The aseismic fault deformation (creep) is also important phenomena for these two sections. The InSAR and LIDAR studies showed that the Ismetpasa and Destek regions have creep motions. For this purpose, the new pro-ject has been started to proof this phenomena with GPS data and to determine quantitatively the rate of convergence and its variation along segment of the NAF between Bolu and Çorum. The main aim of this study is determination of creep rate with geodetic measurements and combination of the data obtained from seismolo-gy, geodesy and geophysics to understand fault mechanism. Therefore, in this pa-per we discuss tectonic phenomena on the central part of the NAFZ and present the first results of the project.

ABSTRACT. This study presents new results for the tectonostratigraphic configuration of the Cycladic Blueschist unit (CBU) in the islands of Sikinos and Sifnos. These results show that the observed tectonostratigraphy in CBU results from tectonic repetitions of a thinner sequence. Tectonic repetitions have been achieved by a series of large-scale ductile thrusts that operated during burial and exhumation of CBU. Restoration of the tectonostratigraphy in both islands implies an original, pre-metamorphic sequence, which was made up by a volcano-sedimentary complex at the base and an overlying carbonate-rich sedimentary succession. This Mesozoic protolithic sequence was possibly formed in a continental terrane or in a transi-tional domain between a continental terrane and an oceanic basin. We suggest that the Mesozoic protolith of the CBU was formed in an incipient oceanic basin rather than a mature ocean like Pindos Ocean. This incipient oceanic basin was developed either along south part or along the north margin of Pelagonian micro-continent.

ABSTRACT. Τhe most important active fault that intersects the eastern tip of Corinth Canal,the Kalamaki-Isthmia fault, is studied in detail, involving data analysis from nine boreholes, magnetic susceptibility measurements within boreholes and paleoenvironmental interpretations. Samples taken from boreholes were analysed and paleoenvironmental changes in the sequence are described. We correlate magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements with paleoenvironmental and lithological alternations within the boreholes. We have ascribed low MS values to marine highstand deposits and high MS values to lowstand terrestrial deposits. Glacioeustatic sea level changes and tectonic movements have led to a very complicated lithosedimentary pattern that involves subaerial exposure, fluvial-terrestrial, lagoonal, shallow marine environments and possibly even some lake sediments. Our results indicate that the Kalamaki fault is active and ha a low slip rate of 0.05±0.02 mm/yr.

ABSTRACT. The concentration of Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs) was analyzed in ground and spring waters, soils and sediments of Anthemountas basin in Northern Greece. In total, 23 soil and sediment samples, 3 groundwater (boreholes) and 2 spring water samples, were analyzed. The concentration of Ni in soils and sediments were reached values up to 2169 mg/kg and its high correlation coefficient with Cr, indicates the geogenic origin of Ni from the ophiolitic rocks. Arsenic (As) concentration ranges from 3 to 110 mg/kg in soils and sediments, with the highest concentration observed in travertine. The spring waters are characterized with elevated concentrations of As (up to 235 μg/L), Na, K, Fe and Zn, indicating that hydrothermal fluids directly affect and alter the feldspars of the Monopigado granodiorite. In the borehole groundwaters, As concentration reached values up to 18 μg/L. The electrical resistivity tomographies performed around the groundwater boreholes, revealed the presence of normal faults, locally connecting the geothermal fluids with the shallow porous aquifer. The presence of As in the shallow porous aquifer is due to the inputs from the geothermal waters through these normal faults.

ABSTRACT. In surface aquatic systems, trace elements and especially heavy metals accumulate in sediments. Thus, the determination of sediment chemical characteristics is critical in the assessment of an aquatic environment’s quality. Thirteen sediment samples from Palea Kavala river (NE Macedonia, Greece) were studied for their content in Al, Fe, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn. In order to evaluate the metal enrichment for environmental purposes, two geochemical indices were employed: Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo). According to the results, Al was the most abundant major element in sediments with Fe and Mn to follow. Trace element content followed the order Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd. EF values revealed that samples are enriched in Cd and Pb, while Igeo values also suggested that there is considerable contamination concerning Cd and Pb. It is concluded that ore mineralizations which occur in Palea Kavala region contribute to the elevated concentrations of all the studied elements, since they comprise mainly Fe-Mn metal assemblages including minerals such as pyrite, goethite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and pyrolousite.

ABSTRACT. Soils are receptors of atmospheric metal depositions and hence reliable indicators of pollution phenomena, especially for cases that potential site specific pollution sources are detected in terrestrial ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to assess the distribution of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Ba concentrations in soils nearby the International Athens Airport “El. Venizelos”, in Attica, Greece. Total metal concentrations were determined in 86 topsoil aqua regia extracts and the median values for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Ba concentrations were 23, 81, 22x103, 497, 87, 74, 75, and 423 mg kg-1 respectively. Though median values are not considered as high, the 90th percentile concentration values for some metals are high, indicating possible soil enrichment by these metals. A tendency for increased concentrations of Zn and Cr along the north-south axis and of Pb, Cu and Ni at the northern part of the studied area was also observed. As a first approach to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic metal contributions in the soils of the area, the obtained preliminary data were subjected to cluster analysis and to the evaluation of metals Enrichment Factors (EFs). Both EF values and cluster analysis results suggested secondary Pb, Cu and Zn site specific accumulation in the soils of the studied area.

ABSTRACT. The threats from a number of environmental pressures makes absolutely necessary the knowledge of factors leading to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. One of the aggravating human activities on the pollution of aquatic ecosystems is the agriculture sector. The excessive use of fertilizers and agrochemical formulations which are widely used by farmers to maximize their production resulting in the burden of water with high concentrations of pollutants due to hydrological conditions that exist in each region. Object of this study is to research and record risk of pollution of Sofaditis river of phosphate ions, using the hydrological model MIKE SHE combined with laboratory analysis of samples of the wider region and phosphorus site index. The sites were selected to sample soils, waters and sediments were regions Mataraga, Kieriou Tower, Moscholouri and Sofades. In this study, the use of a phosphorus index provides a simple and practical method for identifying hot-spot source areas and to estimate their potential for contributing a flux of P to the surface waters. In ascending order of risk result was Mataraga

ABSTRACT. In the present study, the presence and the elemental contents of some rare elements such as zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce) and hafnium (Hf) in different fractions (bulk samples, non-magnetic fraction-NMF and magnetic fraction-MF) of road dusts from the city of Thessaloniki, were investigated. The mean Zr, Nb, La, Ce and Nb concentrations in the bulk road dust samples were 32.1, 5, 16.4, 40 and 0.9 μg g-1,αντίστοιχα.. On the other hand, the studied rare elements concentrations in magnetic fractions (MFs) were enriched and the enrichment ratios, defined as the concentration ratio of metals in MFs and NMFs, ranged between 1.9 (Ce) and 7.9 (Nb). Pearson’s correlation coefficients in the MFs indicated 3 groups of elements originating from common source: a) Zr-Hf-Cr-Cu-Mo-Sn-Sb, b) Nb-Ni-Cu-Mo-Sn and c) La-Ce. The significant correlations of the Zr, Hf and Nb with elements such as Cu, Sb, Sn and Mo which are characteristic of brake wear emissions indicated that the emission of these elements in the urban environment can also be attributed to vehicular traffic as they are highly associated with traffic emitted ferrimagnetic particles.

ABSTRACT. In the summer 2013, mercury concentrations in soils and air from Nisyros (Greece), an active volcanic island located in the Aegean Sea, were determined. Up to 102 samples of soil were collected in the Lakki plain caldera and analyzed for mercury by using a cold vapour atomic absorption analyzer, following 7473 US EPA method. Concentrations of mercury in air were also investigated in the same sites with a portable spectrophotometer (Lumex RA-915M). Soil mercury concentrations were in the range from 0.023 to 13.7 µg/g. The mercury concentrations in air showed high background values in the Lakki plain caldera, ranging from 21 to 36 ng/m3 and maximum values up to 493 ng/m3 in the proximity of the fumarolic areas, in contrast with the relatively low values (from 2 to 5 ng/m3) measured in the distal sites outside of the caldera. The positive correlation between mercury and CO2 and H2S in the atmosphere highlights the important role of fumarolic gases as carrier for gaseous mercury (Hg0). On the contrary, mercury does not show significant correlations with CO2 and H2S in the soil gases. This finding evidences the complexity of the processes affecting mercury in hydrothermal gases passing through the soil.

ABSTRACT. IGME has recently completed a study concerning the potential of white marbles as ornamental stones in the area of Menoikio Mountain in N. Greece. The study was accomplished with funds from the National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 (NSRF 2007-2013). Its goal was to define zones that may be exploited for marble production and estimate the corresponding geological reserves, as well, in the above area. The research area comprised 24 km² and is located 20 km northeast of Serres city, at an altitude of 1.100-1.960m.The current poster presents the major characteristics of the Menoikio white marbles which were concluded in the specific study (IGME internal reports). Tectonic analysis of ductile deformation, mineralogical studies, chemical analysis and measurements of physical - mechanical properties of calcitic marbles were conducted and 4 geological maps were created (in scale 1:5.000 and 1:25.000) The tectonic evolution of the area has produced abundant ductile and brittle deformation structures which affected the cohesion of the rock. The ductile deformation is related into two systems of folds of axial strike (500 and 1200), representing different deformation stages. The brittle deformation is represented by four systems of faults and fracture cleavages having E-W, NW-SE, NE-SW and N-S directions. The mineralogical composition showed that the Menoikio mountain marbles are calcitic (99% calcite and 0,7% dolomite). The results of the chemical analyses are in agreement with the mineralogical composition. The percentage of the impurities (oxides except CaO and MgO) is very low and does not exceed 0,5%. The physical - mechanical properties of calcitic marbles of Menoikio mountain are similar to Lekani and Falakro mountains marbles (porosity: 0,4% vol, water absorption: 0,2% wt, uniaxial compressive strength: 70MPa, flexural strength: 18,3MPa and abrasion resistance: 17224 mm³). The total geological reserves are estimated than 15×106 m³.

ABSTRACT. Preliminary data on the interaction between soil and edible plants with respect to heavy metal concentrations in Athens, Greece are presented. Concentration ranges of Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Mn, Fe, Ba, Pb and Cd in soils and vegetables collected from urban allotments in Athens are determined and assessed taking into account the pseudototal (extracted by aqua regia) and mobilizable (0.43 M acetic acid extractable) concentrations of the elements in the rhizosphere soil of the collected plants as well as the total concentrations in plant tissue. Average elemental concentrations in urban allotments are lower than the ones previously reported for Athens urban soil. No detectable concentrations of the non-essential heavy metals Pb and Cd were measured in the studied plants while concentrations of micronutrient elements in plants are within normal ranges. The collected data indicate that previous land use is an important factor controlling heavy metal content in soil and that there is a complex mechanism controlling micronutrient uptake by plants.

ABSTRACT. Urban geochemistry is a scientific discipline which is growing in the recent years mainly because of the environmental impact caused by urbanization. The present study aims to determine the concentrations of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) on surface soils (0-10 cm) in Athens parks. Soil sampling was carried out in public park areas within the Athens urban area. Twenty surface soil (0-10 cm) samples were collected and the <100 μm grain size fraction was analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy for Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Mn and Cr after a strong acid dissolution and partial extraction by 1M HCl. The organic soil matter content was determined by a combustion method. Two different inter-correlated groups of elements were identified, one including Pb, Zn, Cu showing the anthropogenic signature on urban soil and another including Cr, Ni and Mn showing geogenic origin. The mobility of the heavy metals determined in the present study follows the decreasing order: Pb> Mn >Ni≈ Cu≈ Zn> Cr. The data indicate that park areas seem to be important sinks of anthropogenic elements in urban soils.

ABSTRACT. The information on the areas prone to the strongest earthquakes in a region is very important for knowledgeable seismic hazard and risk assessment. We consider the central part of the Alpine-Himalayan Belt (Caucasus-Kopet-Dagh-Alburz) for the recognition of seismogenic nodae capable of M7+ earthquakes. The nodes formed around the intersections of the fault zones are viewed as objects of recognition which have been described by the common set of geologic, geomorphological and geophysical parameters. As a result, 150 nodes out of 510 ones delineated in he Caucasus-Kopeth Dagh-Alburz region were recognized prone for earthquakes M7+. Within the deep-sea South Caspian basin characterized by thin oceanic crust and high heat flow nodes prone to earthquakes M7+ were not identified. Recognition results highlight the significant seismic potential of the central segment of the Alpine-Himalayan belt: we have recognized a number of capable nodes where earthquakes M7+ have not yet been recorded.

ABSTRACT. Based on the results of our studies for the tidal triggering effect on the seismicity of the Hellenic area, we consider the confidence level of earthquake occurrence - tidal period accordance p as an index of tectonic stress criticality for earthquake occurrence. In this paper, by the occasion of the recent catastrophic earthquake of Nepal, we investigate the variation of the index p for the South Himalaia Fault area. The preliminary results indicate positive correlation of the index p with seismicity, for all the tidal periods. We suggest that this compliance parameter p may be used as an additional element for the seismic risk assessment.

ABSTRACT. A homogeneous with respect to magnitude earthquake catalog is compiled, particu-larly focusing on the global intermediate depth-deep focus seismicity and by exploiting data of almost half-century. Within a two-step compilation process, we take advantage of 10 robust conversion equations produced exclusively for intermediate depth and deep focal data (Tsampas et. al., 2016). Initially, magnitudes of different scales and several origins are converted into proxy moment magnitudes (Mw*~Mw) and a weighted mean-value aggregation procedure is then applied for all events with estimated Mw*. Therefore, a homogeneous magnitude scale (equivalent to Mw) is obtained as result of individual correlations between different magnitude scales and the moment mag-nitude (Mw) scale, yielding a unique magnitude value per event. Moreover, through implementing a simple optimization scheme, a composed, unique depth value per event is estimated, utilizing focal data from multiple resources. In the end and after validating magnitude’s (M) reliability, a brief spatio-temporal analysis of the provided catalog is performed, revealing its potential for further exploitation in large scale seismological surveys or other research studies of global interest.