Tracking the Causes of a Mass Fish Kill at a Mediterranean River within a Protected Area

Abstract

In this study, an extreme event observed at the intermittent Mediterranean Bogdanas River within the territory of the protected area of the National Park of Lakes Koronia-Volvi and Macedonian Temp that led to a mass fish kill was investigated. We aimed to define the main pressures affecting water quality and biota, specifically fish. No organic poisons, pesticides or heavy metal concentrations were detected in fish tissue, while high values of BOD5, COD, TN and conductivity were measured in water samples. These results, combined with the prevailing hydroclimatic factors (high temperatures and low water flow), lead to the assumption that mass fish mortality was triggered by high organic loads discharged from an upstream point source of pollution, and in particular an active landfill.

Keywords

• Bogdanas River
• mass fish kill
• landfill
• heavy metals
• organic pollution