Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D8 / Greece / Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea
| Report type | Member State report to Commission |
| MSFD Article | Art. 9 Determination of GES (and Art. 17 updates) |
| Report due | 2012-10-15 |
| GES Descriptor | D8 Contaminants |
| Member State | Greece |
| Region/subregion | Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea |
| Reported by | APC S.A. |
| Report date | 2012-10-15 |
| Report access | MALGR_MSFD9GES_20130430.xml |
GES component |
D8
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8.1 Concentration of contaminants |
8.1.1 Concentration of contaminants |
8.2 Effects of contaminants |
8.2.1 Level of pollution effects |
8.2.2 Occurrence and impact of acute pollution |
8.2.2 Occurrence and impact of acute pollution |
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Method used |
MAL-EL-MS-AL: For descriptors 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 it is attempted to approach GES quantitatively using environmental thresholds/limits to describe the desired state of GES. For descriptors 1, 2, 4,7 and 10 a qualitative description of what GES will be like is provided. |
MAL-EL-MS-AL: For descriptors 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 it is attempted to approach GES quantitatively using environmental thresholds/limits to describe the desired state of GES. For descriptors 1, 2, 4,7 and 10 a qualitative description of what GES will be like is provided. |
MAL-EL-MS-AL: For descriptors 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 it is attempted to approach GES quantitatively using environmental thresholds/limits to describe the desired state of GES. For descriptors 1, 2, 4,7 and 10 a qualitative description of what GES will be like is provided. |
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Marine reporting units |
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Feature |
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Criterion/indicator |
D8 |
8.1 |
8.1.1 |
8.2 |
8.2.1 |
8.2.2 |
8.2.2 |
GES description |
In order to achieve GES in the marine environment according to descriptor 8, it is needed to gradually reduce the concentrations of hazardous substances (HS) and try to restrict their adverse impacts to ensure there will no be major risks entailed.
In the initial assessment, there are 3 groups of substances examined in water, sediments and organisms:
• Synthetic: PAHs, PCBs, DDTs and Drins
• Non-synthetic: metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Hg), and petroleum hydrocarbons
• Radionuclides: 137 Cs
According to initial assessment, HS concentrations in the marine environment have generally decerased compared to those of the past, and a stable trend has recently been observed. However, there are still hot spots, mainly in coastal areas and enclosed gulfs where contaminant concentrations are occasionally high. Patraikos Gulf and Korinthiakos Gulf are areas where metals occasionally exceed maximum set values according to criteria. Anthropogenic activities are usually intense in such areas (urban agglomerations, industrial activity, mining, waste discharge). However, It is estimated that only a proportion of 1-5% of the subregion is not in GES. The fact that there are areas where background concentrations are increased due to the geological substarte must be taken into consideration when assessing GES. Concerning acute pollution events, although they lead to concentrations exceeding maximum allowed concentrations, their occurence is restricted and impact is not highly extensive. However, to achieve GES such events should be minimised. |
To achieve GES, hazardous substances should be kept at low levels and ultimately reach background values or zero. Therefore, the concentrations and impacts of hazardous substances are evaluated according to threshold values (limit reference points) suggested. |
Concentration of contaminants in seabed habitat/biota |
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Threshold values |
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Threshold value unit |
μg/L, μg/g
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μg/kg ww
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Proportion of area to achieve threshold value |
5% |
5% |
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Reference point type |
LimitReferencePoint |
LimitReferencePoint |
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Baseline |
The baseline used to establish the threshold values is that of the pristine state of open sea waters and sediments and background levels for marine organisms. |
The baseline/background concentrations used to establish the threshold values is that of the pristine state of open sea:
WATER: Metals (μg/L): Cu 0.5, Zn 1, Cd 0.1, Hg 0.1, Pb 0.5, PAHs (μg/L): Total PAH 0.1, PCBs (μg/L): Total PCB 0, Pesticides (μg/L) 0, 137Cs( Bq/m3 ) 1.5
SEDIMENT: Metals (μg/g): Cu 10, Zn 40, Cd 0.1, Hg 0.01, Pb 10, PAHs (μg/g): Total PAH 0.2, PCBs (μg/g): Total PCB 0 |
The baseline/background concentrations used to establish the threshold values is that of the pristine state of open sea water:
seabed habitat/biota: Metals (μg/kg ww): Cd 120, Hg 10, Pb 1500, PCBs (μg/g): Total PCB 0
functional groups: Metals (μg/kg ww): Cd 25, Hg 35, Pb 25, PCBs (μg/g): Total PCB 0 |
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Assessment method |
The asessment method involves the monitoring of the paramaters mentioned and the comparison of the measured values to the thresholds set. |
The asessment method involves the monitoring of the paramaters mentioned and the comparison of the measured values to the thresholds set. |
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Development status |
Fully operational
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Fully operational
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