WATER CIRCULATION AND EUTROPHICATION IN THE NORTHWESTERN AEGEAN SEA -THERMAIKOS GULF

Seasonal water property distributions and a combination of Lagrangian and Eulerian current data are used to investigate water circulation pa tterns, and associated transfer mechanisms of pollutants, in the north western Aegean Sea (Thermaikos Gulf). Nutrient concentrations within t he various water masses of the study area are presented and comparison s are made with nutrient concentrations in other coastal waters of the Aegean Sea, to assess the extent of eutrophication in Thermaikos Gulf . Nutrient levels are attributed to the different nutrient sources, as well as to the morphology and water circulation patterns in the vario us areas.