A DPSIR approach to selected Cr(VI) impacted groundwater bodies within Attica and Eastern Sterea Ellada River Basin Districts

The holistic approach of the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) analytical framework in combination with Geographical Information Systems was applied to selected Cr(VI) impacted groundwater bodies. For the characterization of “state”, 157 samples including field blanks were collected during the wet and dry seasons of 2017 and 2018 and several physicochemical parameters were determined. In Loutraki, Cr(VI) ranged from 12 to 62 μg/L while NO3 and Cl maximum values were 157mg/L and 218mg/L respectively. Very high concentrations of Cr(VI) (up to 430μg/L), NO3 (up to 245mg/L) and Cl (up to 1039mg/L) were measured in Schinos. Additionally, Cr(VI) up to 131μg/L and NO3 up to 156mg/L were identified in the groundwater of Thiva. In C.Evia, Cr(VI) was up to 96μg/L while NO3 and Cl were also very elevated with its respective maximum values to be 362mg/L and 793mg/L. Finally, the highest Cr(VI) concentrations (up to 11.7 mg/L) were measured in Oinofyta area. The main identified pressures are: i) nitrate pollution due to intensive agriculture and urban waste disposal ii) sea water intrusion due to overpumping and iii) Cr(VI) contamination due to both natural processes and industrial activities (clearly in the case of Oinofyta). In many cases, Cr(VI), NO3 and Cl are above the upper drinking water limits of the European directive 98/83/EC. Therefore, among the first steps to address these issues are the implementation of a constant monitoring program as well as the development of a common database for water managers.