Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of suspended particulate matter and particulate organic carbon in the Saronikos Gulf (eastern Mediterranean, Greece) |
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Authors: | Evangelia Krasakopoulou Aristomenis P Karageorgis |
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Institution: | (1) Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 46.7 km Athens-Sounio Avenue, 19013 Anavyssos, Greece |
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Abstract: | In 1998–1999, beam attenuation coefficient (bac) profiles, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations were assessed during five
cruises in the Saronikos Gulf, eastern Mediterranean, Greece. SPM and POC concentrations (0.05–1.84 mg l−1 and 10.2–468.6 μg l−1, respectively) exhibited strong spatial and temporal variations, related to the different environmental characteristics of
various sectors of the gulf, including wind regime and biological productivity. The Elefsis and Keratsini bays, as well as
the area around Psyttaleia Island, showed the highest POC concentrations. The vertical distribution of POC at stations in
the western basin, as well as in the inner and outer Saronikos Gulf is characterised by higher POC concentrations in surface
waters, associated with higher biological activity. The wastewater treatment plant effluents discharged south of the Psyttaleia
Island are a major source of organic particles which directly influence the intermediate water layers, at least during the
stratification period. Assessments of relationships between bac and SPM or POC concentrations revealed a relatively strong correlation between bac and POC. An equation converting bac readings to POC concentration was established which can be applied to historical and/or future bac measurements, independently of season. POC concentrations estimated from calibrated continuous transmissometer readings were
used to estimate the standing stock of POC in the Saronikos Gulf, which varied between 6,110×106 and 13,450×106 g C during the period June 1998 to February 1999. |
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