Metal pollution in the Saronikos Gulf

Sediment samples from the Saronikos Gulf and Elefsis Bay were analysed for weak acid extractable Zn, Fe and Cu, as well as for organic carbon. The main sources of pollution (fertilizers, factory, sewage outfall, Piraeus Port and the heavily industrialized part of Elefsis Bay) showed levels that were higher than background by a ratio of 1000 for Cu, 3500 for Fe, 700 for Zn and 10 for organic carbon. The concentrations fell rapidly to background at a distance of 5 km and the affected area was estimated at 40 km².