Τμήμα Ωκεανογραφίας και Θαλασσίων Βιοεπιστημών

Icon-facebook Youtube

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND GEOSPATIAL APPLICATIONS

Environmental quality and Geospatial Applications

Research focus on the quality of the marine environment which includes the study of dynamics of coastal eutrophication, investigation of the behavior of potential toxic substances in the marine environment, listed as priority pollutants, oil spill identification and detection, and the microbiological quality of bathing waters and drinking water. Data collected from sampling surveys and other sources, such as remote sensing or existing databases, are processed and analyzed with the application of up-to-date tools, such as statistical, spatial analysis and multi-criteria analysis methods.

The obtained results in accordance with the systemic study of marine processes may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms related to abiotic and biotic factors of the marine environment and their quantitative estimation.

Research activities are carried out in the laboratories of the Dept. of Marine Sciences which are fully equipped with appropriate instruments. Reliable field instruments are used for in situ measurements as well as for sampling cruises with the educational/research vessel Amfitriti. Services to National and Local authorities are provided as well as cooperative research projects related to the quality of the coastal marine environment.

Research activities

Eutrophication dynamics in the marine environment

Marine eutrophication is nowadays a priority issue in the European Union. Apart from the scientific interest it has economic, social and political implications. In the Department of Marine Sciences research focuses on dynamics of nutrients, phytoplankton ecology and the relation/evaluation of various sources of pollution regarding the appearance of eutrophic trends. Additional research fields are the evaluation of the impacts of marine eutrophication on water quality, used for swimming, recreational activities and aquaculture. Emphasis is given on data analysis methods, since eutrophication is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. Furthermore, important experience has been acquired as far as European and national legislation is concerned, regarding the management and protection of the marine environment from eutrophication.

Microbiological quality of the marine environment

The microbial load of sand in bathing beaches is investigated from the point of view of microbial ecology and public health, because of the interest it poses as an ecosystem and of the possibility of bather infection. We look into the relationships between faecal pollution indicators and pathogens and the frequency and spatial distribution of saprophytic and pathogenic yeasts in the sand. The consequences of rainfall for the microbiological quality of coastal water is also studied, as well as the spatial and temporal spreading of faecal indicators and pathogens in the sea water close to the mouths of rivers/streams, point and diffuse pollution sources.

Investigation of the behavior of potential toxic substances in the marine environment

Research activities include the development and optimization of analytical methodologies for the detection and quantitative determination of potential toxic substances, listed as priority pollutants, in seawater and sediments. Chemical and toxicological analyses are carried out to investigate the behavior of potential toxic substances in seawater and marine sediments, and their adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Toxicity experiments are conducted with marine algae which as important primary producers can influence marine ecosystem directly. Data produced are processed to estimate the ecological risk of potential toxic substances to marine phytoplankton.

Applications of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing

Research focuses on the study of the marine environment, the coastal zone and the interactions with the atmosphere. Modern technology is applied for the development of methodologies in order to study the coastal environment, the quantitative and spatio-temporal assessment of marine eutrophication, the circulation of sea water masses, the monitoring of sea water pollution, the detection, determination and monitoring of oil spills and the estimation of fishing activity. Furthermore, on the development of methodologies and tools for coastal zone management by co-estimating data from various sources, such as socio-economic, environmental, satellite, with the objective to support appropriate actions of the involved public bodies. More research activities related to marine remote sensing can be found on  Marine Remote Sensing Group web page. 

Personnel

Faculty

Structure, Dynamics and Management of aquatic ecosystems

Geographic Information Systems with emphasis in the marine environment

Remote sensing with applications in the marine environment

Instrumental analysis of toxic compounds

Technical staff

Research associates

Post Doc researchers

PhD students

PhD title: «Remote Sensing Applications for the environmental monitoring of marine farms towards Precision Aquaculture»

PhD title: «The use of UAVs and computer vision methods on marine habitat mapping»

PhD title: «Study of the spatial distribution of primary production of phytoplankton in the Mediterranean Sea based on the influence of environmental parameters»

PhD title: «Quantification and evaluation of eco- and geo-system services in coastal zone using geoinformaticss»

PhD title: «Development of tools for supporting decision making in coastal zone»

PhD title: «Marine Spatial Planning»

PhD title: «Evaluation of statistical methods for the quantitative assessment of eutrophication»

Study of the ecology of dominant bivalves in the North Evoikos Gulf with emphasis on the species Callista chione, (Linnaeus, 1758)

Infrastructure

Research activities are carried out in well designed laboratories located at the Department of Marine Sciences. Field trips are performed with the educational/research vessel Amfitriti.

  • Field fluorimeter TURNER model 10-AU-005
  • CTD device SEABIRD model SBE-19
  • Submarine device of irradiation intensity measurement Kahlsiko 268 WD305
  • Secchi disc
  • Water samplers Van Dorn and Zobell
  • Van Veen grab
  • Spectrometer double beam Varian Series 634
  • Spectrometer single beam Hitachi Digilab U-1800
  • Turbidity meter
  • Stomacher
  • Coulter Counter analyzer
  • Microscopes Olympus CH20
  • Centrifuge Sigma 2-5
  • pH- meters and conductivity-meter
  • Analytical balances
  • Ultrasonic bath
  • Incubators
  • Waterbath of controlled temperature and irradiance
  • Shaking plate for samples
  • Dry and wet sterilization chambers
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Refrigerators and freezers
  • Refrigerated incubator
  • Incubators for microbiology
  • Water baths
  • Autoclave
  • Pipettes of specified volume
  • Dry heat sterilization chamber
  • Bagmixer
  • Analytical balance
  • 2 digit scale
  • Conductivity/salinity/acidity meter
  • Colony counter
  • Centrifuge
  • Sonar bathe 5 liters
  • Laboratory mixer rocking/rotating
  • pH meter portable
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Heated magnetic mixers
  • Water filtration system 5 positions
  • Turbidity meter
  • Stereoscope/ microscope
  • Vortex mixers
  • Refrigerators and freezers

Chemical analysis and toxicological testing

  • Gas chromatograph Shimadzu QP2010 Plus equipped with (i) mass spectrometer (MS), (ii) flame ionization (FID) detectors, and split/splitless injectors.
  • Gas chromatograph HP5890 series II equipped with (i) electron capture (ECD), (ii) nitrogen phosphorous (NPD) detectors and on column and split/splitless injectors.
  • Fluorescence spectrometer Perkin Elmer LS 55
  • Flame atomic absorption spectrometer/ electrothermal furnace Varian AA30
  • Organic Carbon analyzer Tekmar-Dohrmann Apollo 9000
  • Spectrometer double beam Hitachi 2800U UV-Vis Digilab
  • Spectrometer single beam Varian Cary 50 UV-Vis
  • Supercritical Fluid Extraction Isco SFX 220
  • Solid Phase extraction device Supelco
  • Rotary evaporator Heidolph Laborota 4000 efficient wb eco
  • Centrifuge Heraeus Labofuge 400
  • pH-meter Crison Basic 20 and Ηanna HI8424
  • Analytical balances Adam και Kern
  • Chamber for plant cultivation Snijders Scientific B.V. Economic Delux
  • Microscopes Olympus and Walter
  • Dry dessicators ΜΕΜΜΕRT, U-10 και ΒΙNDER 7200
  • Ultrasonic bath Selecta
  • Millipore model Milli RO3 Plus/ MilliQ Plus 185 and Simplicity 185 for the production of water type I
  • Four (4) workstations Windows XP
  • One (1) workstation Linux
  • One (1) workstation Mac OSX
  • Three (3) servers, Linux/Sun OS
  • Plotter HP Designjet 500ps Plus
  • Color printer Α3/Α4, HP Color Laserjet 9500 hdn
  • Color printer Lexmark X544
  • Laser Printer A4 Samsung ML371
  • Laser printer Α4, RiCOH AP410N
  • Scanner A3, Mustek P3600
  • Digitizer Α3
  • Six (6) remotely piloted aircraft (UAV) for monitoring marine environmental phenomena (4 Mulitcopters with VTOL capability, two fixed wind, 1 for training and one for large area surveys)
  • Three (3) Optical sensors (Sony A5100, Canon IXUS 160, Canon IXUS 140)
  • Two (2) Multispectral sensors (3P SLANTRANGE, Sequoia MicaSence)

Research projects (selected)

Research project Funding Scientific coordinator:
Mediterranean governance for Strategic Maritime SurveIllance and Safety issues (MED OSMoSIS)
Interreg Mediterranean
D. Kitsiou
ExPert Integrated support system for CoastaL mixed urbAn – industrial – critical infrastructure monitoring using Combined technologies (EPIPELAGIC)
Greek Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK, ESPA) (2014- 2020), Greece-China Cooperation
D. Kitsiou
AeRial System and Anti piRacy System (ARSx2)
Greek Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK, ESPA) (2018- 2021)
K. Topouzelis
Marine monitoring system of the Hellenic Seas using REmote sensing satellite data and in-situ measurements
Greek Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK, ESPA) (2018- 2021).
K. Topouzelis
Semantic EO Data Web Alert and Retrieval Framework
H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015, MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STAFF EXCHANGE (RISE), (2015 – 2019)
K. Topouzelis
Assessment of microbiological pollution of the Gulf of Kalloni, Lesvos
North Aegean Prefecture, 2013
Μ.Α. Efstratiou & V. Bakopoulos
Infrastructure for spatial data of the University of the Aegean
Ministry for Development and Competitiveness, National Strategic Reference Framework, 2011-2014
M. Vaitis, Dept. of Geography, Univ. of the Aegean
Automatic detection and classification of meso-scale oceanographic phenomena in satellite radar data (ASAR)
General Secretariat for Research and Technology, National Strategic Reference Framework Life Long Learning Programme, 2011-–2014
D. Kitsiou
Assessment of the environmental quality in the coastal area of Volvi municipality
Municipality of Volvi, 2011-2012
D. Kitsiou
Assessment of the transport and the dispersion of pesticides in the Gulf of Gera, Lesvos
Prefecture of Lesvos, 2008–-2009
D. Kitsiou
Development and application of novel technologies of chemical oxidation for the removal of organic substances from treated sewage effluents in Cyprus combined with toxicological bioassays
Cyprus University, 2007-2009
Ass. Prof. D. Fatta
Harbor sediments pollution assessment and dredged material management
NATO, ESP/Collaborative Linkage Grant, 2006-2008
Μ. Kostopoulou-Karadanelli
Evaluation of the Effects of Human Activities on the Quality of the Coastal Environment and Assessment of Environmental Quality Indicators in the Framework of the Coastal Zone Management, according to the Directive 2000/60
Interreg IIIA, Greece-Cyprus, 75% EU funding and 25% National funding, 2006-2009
Μ. Kostopoulou-Karadanelli. Partner: Dept. of Fisheries and Marine Research, Cyprus
Assessment of immigration pattern of medium and large pelagic fish species in the Aegean Sea based on fishing activity and environmental parameters through satellite imagery
Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food and European Union, 2006-–2008
D. Kitsiou
Ecotoxicological Assessment of Marine Sediments in the Framework of the Directive 2000/60/EC: Implication for the Management of Dredged Material
General Hellenic Secretariat of Research and Technology, 2006-2008
Μ. Kostopoulou-Karadanelli
Development of an Information Technology Tool for the Management of European Southern Lagoons under the influence of river-basin runoff, DITTY Project
EU (Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development), EESD ESD-3, 2003-2006
G. Tsirtsis, Professor, Dept. of Marine Sciences

Publications (selected)

Books

  • Karydis M. and Kitsiou D. (2019). Marine eutrophication: a global perspective. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Kitsiou D. and Karydis M. (Editors) (2017). Marine Spatial Planning: Methodologies, Environmental Issues and current trends. NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., ΝΥ, USA.

Chapters in books

  • Kitsiou D. (2017). The GIS framework in marine spatial planning applications. In D. Kitsiou and M. Karydis (Editors) “Marine Spatial Planning: Methodologies, Environmental Issues and current trends”, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., ΝΥ, USA, pp. 157-174.
  • Pataki Z. and Kitsiou D. (2017). Marine Spatial Planning: a review of the different approaches. In D. Kitsiou and M. Karydis (Editors) “Marine Spatial Planning: Methodologies, Environmental Issues and current trends”, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., ΝΥ, USA, pp. 93-113.
  • Kitsiou D., Politi E. and Kostopoulou M. (2017). The Application of zoning and multiple criteria methods in marine spatial planning. In D. Kitsiou and M. Karydis (Editors) “Marine Spatial Planning: Methodologies, Environmental Issues and current trends”, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., ΝΥ, USA, pp. 175-195
  • Kitsiou D. and Karydis M. (2014). Oil Spills: Behavior of Oil, Impact, Detection, Tracking and Management.In: D.E. Jefferson (Editor) “Marine Pollution: Types, Environmental Significance and Management Strategies”, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., ΝΥ, USA, pp. 197-242.
  • Karydis M. and Kitsiou D. (2013). Eutrophication in the European Regional Seas: a review on impacts, assessment and policy. In: M.T. Sebastia (Editor) “Phytoplankton: Biology, Classification and Environmental Impacts”, NOVA Science Publishers, Inc., ΝΥ, USA, pp. 167-243.

In Scientific Journals

  • Kotta D. and Kitsiou D. (2019). Medicanes Triggering Chlorophyll increase, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 7(75); doi:10.3390/jmse7030075
  • Kotta D. and Kitsiou D. (2019). Exploring Possible Influence of Dust Episodes on Surface Marine Chlorophyll Concentrations, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 7, 50; doi:10.3390/jmse7020050.
  • Papakonstantinou A., Doukari M., Stamatis P., Topouzelis K. (2019). Coastal Management Using UAS and High-Resolution Satellite Images for Touristic Areas, International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research (IJAGR) 10(1), Pages 19. DOI:  10.4018/IJAGR.2019010103
  • Kitsiou D., Patera A. and Kostopoulou M. (2018). A GIS methodology to support sea water quality assessment in coastal areas, Global NEST Journal 20(1): 122-127.
  • Tsatiris, A., Papadopoulos, V., Makri, D., Topouzelis, K., Manoutsoglou, E., Hasiotis, T., & Katsanevakis, S. (2018). Spatial distribution, abundance and habitat use of the endemic Mediterranean fan mussel Pinna nobilis in Gera Gulf, Lesvos (Greece): comparison of design-based and model-based approaches.  Mediterranean Marine Science, 0. DOI: 10.12681/mms.14156
  • Traganos, D., Aggarwal, B., Poursanidis, D., Topouzelis, K., Chrysoulakis, N., Reinartz, P. (2018). Towards Global-Scale Seagrass Mapping and Monitoring Using Sentinel-2 on Google Earth Engine: The Case Study of the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Remote Sens. 2018, Vol. 10, Page 1227 10, 1227.  DOI: 10.3390/RS10081227
  • Poursanidis, D., Topouzelis, K., Chrysoulakis, N. (2018). Mapping coastal marine habitats and delineating the deep limits of the Neptune’s seagrass meadows using very high resolution Earth observation data. Int. J. Remote Sens. 1–18.  DOI: 10.1080/01431161.2018.1490974
  • Topouzelis, D. Makri, N. Stoupas, A. Papakonstantinou, S. Katsanevakis (2018) Seagrass mapping in Greek territorial waters using Landsat-8 satellite images, International Journal of Applied Earth Observation & Geoinformation, 2018, v 67, Pages 98-113. DOI: 10.1016/j.jag.2017.12.013
  • Sini M, Katsanevakis S, Koukourouvli N, Gerovasileiou V, Dailianis T, Buhl-Mortensen L, Damalas D, Dendrinos P, Dimas X, Frantzis A, Gerakaris V, Giakoumi S, Gonzalez-Mirelis G, Hasiotis T, Issaris Y, Kavadas SG, Koutsogiannopoulos DD, Koutsoubas D, Manoutsoglou E, Markantonatou V, Mazaris AD, Poursanidis D, Papatheodorou G, Salomidi M, Topouzelis K, Trygonis V, Vassilopoulou V and Zotou M (2017). Assembling Ecological Pieces to Reconstruct the Conservation Puzzle of the Aegean Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. 4:347. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00347. DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00347
  • Katsanevakis, M. Sini, T. Dailianis, V. Gerovasileiou, N. Koukourouvli, K. Topouzelis, M. Ragkousis (2017). Identifying where vulnerable species occur in a data-poor context: combining satellite imaging and underwater occupancy surveys, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2017, Vol. 577: 17–32 DOI: 10.3354/meps12232
  • Topouzelis, K., Papakonstantinou A, Doukari M. (2017). Coastline change detection using Unmanned aerial vehicles and image processing techniques, Fresenius Environmental Bulletin. Sep2017, Vol. 26 Issue 9, p5564-5571. 8p., ISSN 1018-4619
  • Papakonstantinou, A., Topouzelis, K., Pavlogeorgatos, G. (2016). Coastline Zones Identification and 3D Coastal Mapping Using UAV Spatial Data, ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information vol. 5 (6) p. 75 (open access), Special Issue Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Geomatics. DOI: 10.3390/ijgi5060075
  • Topouzelis K. & Singha, S. (2016). Incidence angle Normalization of Wide Swath SAR Data for Oceanographic Applications. Open Geosciences, 8(1), pp. 450-464. (open access) DOI: 10.1515/geo-2016-0029
  • Topouzelis, K., Varnava S. and Georgiou A. (2015). Seasonal and Spatial Variability of SST Using MODIS Data: the Case Study of Aegean Sea, International Journal of Remote Sensing Applications (open access), Vol.5 Iss.1. DOI: 14355/ijrsa.2015.05.003
  • Topouzelis, K. and Kitsiou, D. (2015). Detection and classification of mesoscale atmospheric phenomena above sea in SAR imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment , vol 160, 263-272. DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2015.02.006
  • Kitsiou D. and Topouzelis K. (2014). Correlation between chlorophyll a concentration and sea surface temperature in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea using GIS and satellite data’. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, vol. 23, no11a, 2919-2925.
  • Topouzelis, K. and Kitsiou D. (2014). Sea State Primitive Object Creation from SAR Data, International Journal of Geosciences (open access), 5, 1561-1570. DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2014.513127
  • Karydis, M., Kitsiou, D., 2013. Marine water quality monitoring: A review. Mar. Poll. Bull. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.09.012).
  • Karydis, Μ., 2013. M. Public attitudes and environmental impacts of wind farms: A Review. Global NEST J., (in press).
  • Nikolaou A., 2013. Pharmaceuticals and related compounds as emerging pollutants in water: analytical aspects, Global Nest Journal, 15(1), 1-12.
  • Topouzelis, K., Psyllos, A., 2012. Oil spill feature selection and classi?cation using decision tree forest on SAR image data. ISPRS, J. Photogram. Remote Sensing, 68, 35–143.
  • Karathanassi, V., Sykas, D., Topouzelis, K., 2012. Development of a Network-Based Method for Unmixing of Hyperspectral Data, IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 50 (3), 839–84.
  • Kostopoulou, M., Guida, M., Nikolaou, A., Oral, R., Trifuoggi, M., Borriello, I., Vagi, M., D’ Ambra, A., Meric, S., Pagano, G., 2013. Inorganic and organic contamination in sediment from Izmir Bay (Turkey) and Mytilene Harbor (Greece). Global NEST J. 15, 57-68.
  • Karydis, M., Kitsiou, D., 2012. Eutrophication and environmental policy in the Mediterranean Sea: a review. Environ. Monit. Assess. 184, 4931–4984.
  • Kitsiou, D., Karydis, M., 2011. Coastal marine eutrophication assessment: A review on data analysis. Environ. Intern. 37, 778–801.
  • Karydis, M., 2011. Toxicity testing and risk assessment: A review on the use of aquatic microcosms. Proceedings 12th Inter, Conference Environ. Sci Technol., Rhodes, Greece, 8-10 September, 2011.
  • Primpas, I., Karydis, M., 2011. Scaling the trophic index (TRIX) in oligotrophic marine environments. Environ. Monit. Assess. 178, 257–269.
  • Efstratiou, M.A., Velegraki, A., 2010. Recovery of melanized yeasts from Eastern Mediterranean beach sand associated with the prevailing geochemical and marine flora patterns. Medical Mycology, 48, 413-415.
  • Vagi, M.C., Petsas, A.S., Kostopoulou, M.N., Lekkas, T.D., 2010. Adsorption and desorption processes of selected organophosphorous pesticides on three Greek agricultural soils. Inter. J. Environ. Anal. Chem., 90, 369-389.
  • Efstratiou, M.A., Mavridou, A., Richardson, C., 2009. Prediction of Salmonella in seawater by total and faecal coliforms and Enterococci. Mar. Poll. Bull. 58, 201-205.
  • Efstratiou, M.A., Tsirtsis, G., 2009. Do 2006/7/EC European Union Bathing Water Standards exclude the risk of contact with Salmonella or Candida albicans ?, Mar. Poll. Bull. 58, 1039-1044.
  • Nikolaou, A., Kostopoulou, M., Lofrano, G., Meric, S., Petsas, A., Vagi, M., 2009. Levels and toxicity of PAHs in marine sediments. Trends Anal. Chem. 28, 653-664.
  • Georgakarakos, S., Kitsiou, D., 2008. Mapping abundance distribution of small pelagic species applying hydroacoustics and co-Kriging techniques. Hydrobiologia 612, 155-169, 2008.
  • Kostopoulou, M., Nikolaou, A., 2008. Analytical problems and the need for sample preparation in the determination of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in aqueous environmental matrices. Trends Anal. Chem. 27, 1023-1035.
  • Aloupi, M., Angelidis, M.O., Gabriel, A., Karantanelli, M., Koulousaris, M., Nikolaou, A., Petsas, A., Tsirtsis, G., Vagi, M., Vlatsiotou, F., 2007. Marine monitoring along the eastern coastal area of the island of Lesvos, Greece during 2004 in the Framework of MedPol III. Global NEST J. 9, 83-97.
  • Vagi, M.C., Petsas, A.S., Kostopoulou, M.N., Karamanoli, M.S., Lekkas, T.D., 2007. Determination of organochlorine pesticides in marine sediments samples using ultrasonic solvent extraction followed by GC/ECD. Desalination 210, 146-156.
  • Kitsiou, D., Coccossis, H., Karydis, M., 2002. Multidimensional evaluation and ranking of coastal areas using GIS and multicriteria choice methods. Sci. Tot. Environ. 284, 1-17.
  • Nikolaou, A.D., Golfinopoulos, S.K., Kostopoulou, M.N., Kolokythas, G.A., Lekkas, T.D., 2002. Determination of volatile organic compounds in surface waters and treated wastewater in Greece. Wat. Res. 36, 2883-2890.
  • Kitsiou, D., Tsirtsis, G., Karydis, M., 2001. Developing an optimal sampling design: a case study in a coastal marine ecosystem, Environ. Monit. Assess. 71, 1-12.
  • Kitsiou, D., Karydis M., 2000. Categorical mapping of marine eutrophication based on ecological indices. Sci. Tot. Environ. 255, 113-127.

MORE PAGES