title: Forensic investigation of a chromium(VI) groundwater plume in Thiva, Greece.
abstract: A forensic investigation was conducted with the aim of decoupling the contribution of geogenic and anthropogenic Cr(VI) sources in the wider area of Thiva. Groundwater and topsoil samples were collected from two Cr(VI) groundwater plumes of 160 μg/L and 75 μg/L. A series of evidence support the view that the origin of Cr(VI) detected in groundwater is mainly geogenic. These are: (a) the presence of Cr in topsoil of the wider area, (b) the moderate Cr(VI) groundwater concentrations, (c) the high Ni levels within the Cr(VI) plumes, (d) the predominance of Mn(IV), which is a prerequisite for Cr(III) oxidation to Cr(VI), and (e) the absence of co-contaminants. The present study also revealed that, although both Cr(VI) plumes are clearly of geogenic origin, the plume with the elevated Cr(VI) values, in the north of Thiva town, exhibits also an anthropogenic component, which can potentially be attributed to the alkaline environment associated with the old uncontrolled landfill of Thiva and the industrial cluster located in this area.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou 5, 157 80 Zografou, Greece. Electronic address: panagiotakis@enydron.com.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Panagiotakis
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou 5, 157 80 Zografou, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dermatas
authors.affiliation: Intergeo - Environmental Technology Ltd., Industrial Area of Thermi, Thessaloniki 57 001, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vatseris
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chrysochoou
authors.affiliation: School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 157 80 Zografou, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papassiopi
authors.affiliation: School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 157 80 Zografou, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xenidis
authors.affiliation: School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 157 80 Zografou, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vaxevanidou
mesh_terms: D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D012987:Soil; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion
keywords: Chromium; Groundwater; Soil; Thiva; Ultramafic/ophiolitic rock