EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL-PARAMETERS IN ALIAKMON RIVER, NORTHERN GREECE .1. QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND NUTRIENTS

A two-year survey on the water quality characteristics of Aliakmon riv er in northern Greece is described. Physicochemical parameters (temper ature, acidity, alkalinity, conductivity, hardness), as well as nutrie nts and major ionic components (NO3-, NH4+, PO4=, SO4=, Cl-) were dete rmined and their concentration levels were related to the flow charact eristics of the river and the influence from urban, agricultural and i ndustrial activities. The quality of the water is discussed taking int o account the fact that this river will be used in the near future for the water supply of the city of Thessaloniki.