The Drama basin water: quality and peat/lignite interaction

The Drama basin is a typical intermontane basin (2,300 km(2)) in northern G reece filled with detrital and lacustrine sediments containing peat/lignite seams. In the southwestern part of the basin (Philippi sub-basin) peat acc umulated practically until the present. Specific conductivity and pH, as we ll as contents of major ions and trace elements have been determined in 20 surface and shallow groundwater samples collected across the basin. Water c omposition reflects the dominance of carbonate rocks in the whole basin. Pe at oxidation an mineralization contribute to poor element enrichment of the Philippi sub-basin surface water derived from both the organic and inorgan ic peat fractions. Anthropogenic activities (waste water effluents and rubb ish dumps) increase Mn, P, B, and Br concentrations. Only Mn exceeds EC rec ommendations (50 mug/l) in some places. There is also a slight increase in Na+ and Cl- contents. Improving measures in the management of point polluti on sources should be a priority to warrant the sustainable exploitation of water resources in the Drama basin.