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In the current investigation is presented the prospective substitution of cement and fine aggregates with fine slag material (Alccofine 1203) and coal bottom ash, respectively. The investigation was carried out in two steps, viz. Phase I and Phase II. In Phase I, a control mix was designed with basic ingredients of concrete, and then fine aggregates were partially replaced with five percentages (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) of coal bottom ash (CBA). To improve the characteristics of coal bottom ash concrete mixtures, ultra-fine slag material, i.e., Alccofine 1203 (an innovative ultra-fine slag material, low calcium silicate, which offers reduced water demand depending upon the concrete performance) was used as a partial replacement of cement. In Phase II, the inspected effect of replacing 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% cement with Alccofine, a concrete mix containing 40% coal bottom ash, on concrete properties such as workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, pulse velocity, rapid chloride penetration along with a microstructural analysis using SEM was studied. It was concluded from cost analysis that the 15% replacement of cement with ultra-fine material Alccofine in 40% coal bottom ash concrete achieved the properties of high-strength concrete, with an 8.14% increase in cost compared to the control increase. The significance of this work lies in the fact that we achieved a high-strength concrete by using 40% industrial waste, i.e., coal bottom ash, as a partial replacement of fine aggregates in combination with the 15% Alccofine inclusion as a partial replacement of cement. About 58% improvement in compressive strength was recorded for 40% coal bottom ash and 15% Alccofine mix.

The Fe-skarns from the Greek Island of Serifos in Cyclades is utilized only for the exploitation of magnetite ores while a significantly vast amount of red and yellow hematite ores remained unexploited as mining wastes. The main aim of this study is the effective utilization of such mining wastes, as active catalytic materials for various environmental and energy applications, taking CO oxidation as a model reaction. The results from the characterization techniques have illustrated that the physicochemical characteristics of the hematite materials can positively be influenced by the implementation of a simple calcination step, while the characteristics of magnetite remained unaffected. The catalytic studies for CO oxidation reaction have shown that the increased surface area and concentration of oxygen vacancies of the calcined (yellow and red) mineral hematite from Serifos Fe-skarns mining wastes, act beneficial in the catalytic activity with respect to calcined magnetite catalyst. Moreover, the hematite materials can be utilized as suitable supports for Au/Fe2O3 catalysts, illustrating the dual role of natural hematites in catalytic applications.

Beachrocks are generally mapped on the coastline surface up to low depth in thesubtidal zone of sandy costs. These are commonly related with notches in nearby rocky beaches since both beachrocks and notches are correlated with active deformation and sea level fluctuation. As a study area we selected the Epirus coast, in Greece, where beachrocks outcrops and notches have not previously been studied. In this work, we used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), GNSS, Geographical Information System (GIS) and field work, to map beachrocks and notches in the broader area. All along this area it is observed active deformation and uplift. The uplift is correlated with the northeastern most tip of the Kephalonia Transform Fault and the existence of evaporitic domes along the coast. UAV mapping of these beachrock areas indicated that their width is 60 m to 80 m across the coast while at the same time we mapped many notches in nearby rocky coasts. The current study tries to investigate the correlation between the geotectonic setting of the broader area and the beachrock formations.

Various types of plutonic and volcanic rocks and their alteration products from Greece (serpentinite, magnesite and andesite), have been used for sustainable removal of Uranium (U) from the acidic drainage of Kirki mine, as well as for the pH increase of the polluted solutions. In this light, this study aims at the further understanding and improvement of the ecofriendly reuse of sterile, natural raw materials (including those remaining through industrial processing and engineering testing of aggregate rocks), for remediation of acid mine drainage. The selected rocks constitute such residues of sterile materials were used as filters in experimental continuous flow devices in the form of batch-type columns, in order to investigate acidic remediation properties with special focus on U removal. The initial pH of the wastewater was 2.90 and increased after seven (7) days of experimental application and more specifically from the fourth day onwards. Uranium removal became quantitatively significant once pH reached the value of 5.09. The volcanic rocks appeared to be more effective for U removal than the plutonic ones because of microtextural differences. However, optimum U removal was mainly achieved by serpentinite: while the raw materials rich in Mg strongly reacted and remediated the pH of the drainage water waste. Furthermore, the increase of pH values due to the presence of mineral raw materials, provided increased oxidation potential which deactivated the toxic load of metals, particularly U. Consequently, batch-type serpentinite reaction with the tailing fluid caused a drop in U concentration from an initial value of 254 ppb to the one of 8 ppb, which corresponds to 97% of removal. Andesite presented the second best reactant for experimental remediation, especially when it was mixed with magnetically separated mineral fractions. Despite the fact that the proposed methodology is currently at a relatively low Technology Readiness Level (TRL), it carries the potential to become an extremely effective and low-cost alternative to conventional environmental restoration technologies.

In 2020, the prevalence of gaming disorder (GD) was comparable with the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, thus demonstrating the necessity of addressing Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and GD in general. GD has been introduced as a psychiatric disorder by International Classification of Diseases and paving the way for treatment and prevention interventions. In this review, we researched available treatment interventions in children and adolescents. Τhe initial search resulted in 972 studies and we ended up with 16 by excluding inappropriate studies according to six inclusion criteria. The studies confirmed that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or CBT-based interventions are the most used, and in cases of comorbidity, such as depression or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the appropriate pharmaceutical intervention also was an effective option. Other interventions combined CBT with family therapy or CBT-based therapies that took place in specialized camps. Family as a supportive expedient or even treatment expedient seemed to play a major role. It is remarkable that only little knowledge exists regarding treatment interventions for children aged 8-12 years old. Therefore, more studies need to be carried out for this age range especially, with comparable efficacy to this of other interventions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the valorization potential of clayey overburden sterile materials from lignite-mining activities in the manufacturing of traditional ceramics. This study aims to contribute toward the sustainable management and use of such waste materials in line with the environmental objectives of the 2030 agenda. To assess this issue, clayey steriles were incorporated in a white clay-body at 20, 50, and 80 wt%, whereas reference samples were also formed from the individual raw materials. Laboratory processing of the ceramics was performed by dry pressing loose powder into rectangular samples and firing at 1000 °C for 4 h. Characterization of the raw materials included chemical, mineralogical, and thermal analysis. The fired bodies were tested for their total linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, water absorption, bulk density, and bending strength according to the relevant standards. The microstructural evolution of the final bodies was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, which observed differences related to the addition of the steriles. The results showed that the tested clayey steriles can be utilized up to 50 wt% as a secondary raw material in the production of ceramic materials (e.g., bricks) with comparable properties to the reference clay-bodies. Furthermore, the color of the final samples changed from white-creamy to reddish as the content of clayey sterile materials increased in the raw mix.

In this paper the results of an experimental study on the behavior of aggregate shape on the compressive concrete strength was described. The main scope of that work is to answer whether there is a low-cost, low-energy methodology for predicting the behavior of an aggregate within a concrete and therefore its ultimate strength. This was achieved by using a combination of petrographic methods with GIS and MatLab software in a variety of lithologies when simultaneously producing a new micropetrographic index (Mshape) for the first time. For this reason, variable rocks such as sandstones, ultramafic, mafic and volcanic have been collected from Greece which are used as aggregates. Their petrographic characteristics as well as their geometrical properties were studied and hence their influence on concrete production. In the present study, a new micro-petrographic index is proposed based on the present proposed methodology which is able to act as a predictor of the aggregates shape and therefore of their behavior and suitability. Mshape index is strongly correlated with the geometrical indices of shape IE and IF as well as with the concrete strength.

The sustainable use of agricultural, industrial and human waste products as raw materials in the construction industry has been extensively investigated. This study aimed to conceive an innovative concrete composition mainly using recycled materials, which, as a result as waste from human activities and natural organic growth, such as animal bones and human hair, will be used in different mixtures in order to prepare concrete specimens. More specifically, the effect of these materials upon the final concrete strength was investigated, as well as how their petrographic characteristics may influence the durability of concrete specimens. Special emphasis was placed on the effect of the artificial increase in bone and hair microroughness and how these can improve the mechanical strength of the final product. The research results point towards the fact that the percentage of the replacement of natural aggregate rocks by animal bones tends to be enhanced by the increase in their microroughness using quartz primer. In addition, the use of bones with increased artificial microroughness and a certain percentage of human hair with increased microtopography seems to be the ideal mixture for the replacement of natural aggregates for the production of normal concrete.

Pharmaceutical grade bentonite, containing a high amount of montmorillonite, enriched with zinc (Zn) or copper (Cu) (ZnBent and CuBent, respectively) was used as the main component for the creation of formulations for cutaneous use and tested for their antimicrobial capacity. Bentonite (Bent) with added phenoxyethanol (PH) as a preservative and unmodified bentonite were used as control groups. The mineralogical composition, structural state, and physical or chemical properties, before and after the modification of the samples, were characterized utilizing X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques, and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM, SEM-EDS) analyses. In addition, the profile of zinc and copper concentration from two types of surfaces ZnBent and CuBent, and into Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) are discussed. Finally, the formulations in the form of basic pastes were challenged against bacteria, molds, and yeasts, and their performance was evaluated based on the European Pharmacopeia criteria. The Cu-modified bentonite performed excellently against bacteria and yeasts, while the Zn-modified bentonite only showed great results against yeasts. Therefore, Cu-modified bentonite formulations could offer antimicrobial protection without the use of preservatives.

Landslides are posing a significant global hazard as they occur instantaneously with devastating consequences. The development of new remote sensing technologies and innovative processing techniques over the past few years opened up new horizons and perspectives in landslide monitoring research. The purpose of the current research is the integrated monitoring of an active landslide, located in Western Greece, using low-cost and high-repeatability remote sensing data like those obtained by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Repeated UAV campaigns and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) surveys were performed to assess the activity of the landslide and determine its kinematic behavior. UAV data were processed using structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry and the generated high-detailed orthophotos and digital surface models (DSMs) were submitted in further processing procedure in an ArcGIS environment. Regarding the GNSS data, a new low-cost technique for the estimation of the direction and the rate of movement of the displaced material was developed. The repeated measurements were displayed in a vector format in a three-axis diagram. In addition, GNSS measurements were used to verify the results of the photogrammetric processing. The final assessment was carried out taking into account geological data such as petrographic and crystallographic features of the material of the landslide. It was observed that the lithology and consequently the petrographic properties of the material plays a key role regarding the activity of the landslide.

A pyrometallurgical process was developed for the recycling of Ni bearing dusts and laterite ore fines by direct reduction smelting in DC (direct current) arc furnace. In the course of the performed industrial trials, besides the Ni-recovery in the liquid bath, slag composition was deliberately adjusted in order to produce a series of metallurgical slags with different chemical and mineralogical composition. The aim of this study was to investigate their suitability as clinker substitute in cement manufacturing. Examined parameters were slag FeOx content, basicity and applied cooling media (air, water cooling). A series of composite Portland and slag cements were manufactured in laboratory scale incorporating 20% and 40% of each slag, respectively, the rest being clinker of OPC (ordinary Portland cement) and 5% gypsum. The extended mineralogical analysis and microstructural properties of the produced slags were examined and correlated with the properties of the produced cements. The physical and mechanical characteristics of all examined cement products were found to meet the requirements of the regulation set for cements. The present research revealed that the most critical parameter in the compressive strength development of the slag cements is the mineralogical composition of the slag. Even in cases where rapid cooling to obtain glassy matrix is not feasible, adjustment of slag analysis to obtain mineralogical phases similar to those met in clinker of OPC, even at higher FeO contents (up to ~21wt.%), can result in production of slag with considerable latent hydraulic properties. These results indicate that there is potentially space for adjustments in conventional EAF (electric arc furnace) steel slags composition to allow for their wider use in cement manufacturing with significant environmental and economic benefits resulting from the reduction of energy requirements, CO2 emissions and natural raw materials consumption.

This study examines how the chemical composition of ultramafic and mafic rocks effects their physicomechanical properties and therefore how influences the concrete strength of the produced concrete specimens. For this scope, ultramafic (Group I) and mafic rocks (Group II) derived from the Veria&ndash, Naousa and Edessa ophiolite complexes (Greece) were selected in order to identify their chemical composition and their engineering properties according to international standards. Additionally, representative rocks were used as concrete aggregates in order to produce concrete specimens, whereas their mechanical strength was calculated. A geochemical index (Ga) was proposed and correlated with the engineering properties of the examined rocks as well as with the widely used alteration degree LOI (loss on ignition). Correlation diagrams between engineering properties and the proposed geochemical index (Ga) have showed that these properties were strongly influenced by the alteration processes expressed via Ga index. More particularly, mainly serpentine in ultramafic and chlorite in mafic rocks, minerals indicators for the alteration of ultramafic and mafic rocks, respectively, seem to determine their engineering properties. Concerning the mechanical strength of the produced concrete specimens, the results have showed that the increasing values of Ga index negatively effect concrete strength.

Many hirundine species construct their nests by carrying mud particles from adjacent areas. This study aimed to investigate for the first time the materials that mud-nesting hirundines choose for nest construction from a mineralogical and sedimentological perspective. For this purpose, we sampled nests of three sympatric species, namely the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), the Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) and the House Martin (Delichon urbicum), from southeastern Europe. Our results showed that all species tend to use clay minerals as a cement and especially smectite and illite and if these minerals are not present in the adjacent area, they use halloysite, kaolinite or chlorite. The amounts of clay minerals in the nests are generally low indicating that the studied species can accurately identify the properties of the nesting materials. Most of the non clay minerals that they use are the common, easily accessible colourless or white minerals with low specific gravity values such as quartz, feldspars and calcite. Grain size distribution analysis revealed that the amount of clay sized grains in the mud nests of all three species is relatively low, while the amount of larger grain particles decreases when the size of the non clay minerals is small. The Red-rumped Swallow showed an increasing preference for larger grain size particles and quartz, the Barn Swallow for finer grain size particles and calcite, and the preferences of the House Martin are in between the other two species. The three hirundine species present different nest building strategies and depending on the nest architecture, each of them seems to show preference for specific minerals and specific grain sizes.

This paper examined three different types of recycled materials, such as beer green glass, waste tile, and asphalt, which will be used in different mixtures in order to prepare concrete specimens and, more specifically, their effect on concrete strength and how the petrographic characteristics of various recycled materials influenced the durability of C25/30 strength class concrete. Particular emphasis was placed on the effect of artificial microroughness of glassy and smooth surfaces of recycled materials on their final concrete strength. The concrete strength values do not show great variance, but their limited differences have been qualitatively interpreted by a new promising petrographic methodology, including the study of the surface texture of the used aggregate materials. Concretes are produced with constant volume proportions, workability, mixing, and curing conditions while using different sizes of each aggregate type. The aggregates were mixed both in dry and water saturated states in concretes. Concretes that are made by a mixture of beer green glass with quartz primer, as well as of tile with quartz primer, presented the optimum possible results of the compressive strength.

This paper investigates an alternative use of sterile aggregate materials which may arise from various construction applications in conjunction with other low-cost mineral raw materials to remediate the acid mine drainage phenomenon. This study is based on the combination of unprocessed mineral raw materials, as well as on the basic concept of the cyclic economy where the conversion of a waste into a raw material for another application can be achieved. In this study, in order to examine the remediation, in lab scale, of the drainage waste water of Agios Philippos mine, an experimental electrically continuous flow-driven forced device was constructed, enriching the research gap relative to this type of remediation approach. Through this experimental device, the use of certain mixes of mineral raw materials (serpentinite, andesite, magnesite, peat, and biochar) was studied. Our results focus on the impact of the studied mineral raw materials and especially on their synergy on the water purification potential under continuous water flow operation. Using the new 7-day experimental electrically continuous flow-driven forced device with certain mixes of mineral raw materials, the increase of pH values from 3.00 to 6.82 was achieved. Moreover, with use of the experimental device, the removal of toxic load was achieved, and more specifically the concentration of Fe was decreased from 6149 to 1300 ppb, Cu from 8847 to 35 ppb, and Zn from 285,458 to 50,000 ppb.

This paper investigates an alternative use of sterile aggregate materials which may arise from various construction applications in conjunction with other low-cost mineral raw materials to remediate the acid mine drainage phenomenon. This study is based on the combination of unprocessed mineral raw materials as well as on the basic concept of the cyclic economy where the conversion of a waste into a raw material for another application can be achieved. In this way, the value of mineral raw materials can be prolonged for as long as possible, waste generation and exploitation of natural resources are minimized and resources are kept as far as possible within the existing economy. In this study, an electrically continuous flow driven forced device proposed and demonstrated for the remediation of waste water in lab-scale by using certain mixes of mineral raw materials (serpentinite, andesite, magnesite, peat and biochar). Our results focus on the impact of the studied mineral raw materials and especially on their synergy on the water purification potential under continuous water flow operation. Using the proposed 7-day experimental electrically continuous flow driven forced device with the certain mixes of mineral raw materials, the increase of pH values from 3.00 to 6.82 as well as significant removal of Fe, Cu and Zn was achieved.

The influence of boron waste (BW) addition on the technological properties and the frost resistance durability of clay roofing tiles was investigated and compared with a reference clay body (CBW-0) fired at 950, 1000 and 1030 °C. Ceramics with 8 wt% of BW (CBW-8) fired at 1030 °C exhibited higher bending strength values of about 9.3%. High-strength crystalline phases of diopside and amorphous phase in higher amounts were observed for CBW-8 samples. The lower saturation coefficient (SC = 0.78) for CBW-8 predicted successfully the higher frost resistance of these samples that withstood over 400 freeze/thaw cycles compared to CBW-0 (SC = 0.92), which failed after 130 cycles.

In this study obsidian samples from “Nychia” area of Milos Island (Greece) have been analyzed and characterized with various analytical techniques including polarizing microscopy, XRPD, SEM/EDS, ICP-MS and Raman Spectroscopy. The studied samples have a rhyolitic composition. Microliths (feldspars, silica oxide phases, hornblende, biotite and opaque minerals), constituting the well-defined crystalline phases, are surrounded by a glassy matrix, which constitutes an equally defined “amorphous phase”. In terms of texture, samples were divided into two groups, a healthy one and a partially devitrified one exhibiting perlitic texture, indicating the effect of locally different volcanic processes in the same narrow area. Furthermore, focused investigation relative to the microchemistry of the “amorphous phase” of the studied samples revealed that these data have satisfactorily discriminated the natural glasses of Nychia Milos source in Mediterranean area. Such results could also be used as the basis of a flexible method useful for trans-disciplinary problems dealing with the origin of obsidian artefacts. The Raman spectroscopy results of the Nychia samples offered insights into the use of the technique as a reliable nondestructive sourcing analytical tool. Moreover, the potential for a multifarious characterization of the glasses enhances further the geological research as well as the archaeological provenance issues of obsidians.

The presence or the absence of swelling clay minerals in rocks, which are used in various construction applications, constitutes a determinant factor for their strength, and consequently, in their general behavior in various construction applications, as they have the ability to swell up to 400 times of their usual volume, causing failures to any application in which they participate. The aim of this study is to respond to the question of whether the empirical method of methylene blue yields equally safe and correct results in different types of igneous rocks and if not, which is the determining factor affecting the results. The answer to this complex question is feasible by investigating the microscopic structure and the mineralogy of the studied rocks, and particularly, using the content of specific phyllosilicate minerals which may be related or not with the methylene blue values. According to the results, the methylene blue test seems to work correctly for the intermediate (Group I) and mafic (Group II) examined rocks, but it seems to be wrong for the highly serpentinized ultramafic rocks (up to 70% of serpentine) (Group III).

This paper examines the effect of the aggregate type on concrete strength, and more specifically, how the petrographic characteristics of various aggregate rocks as well as their physico-mechanical properties influences the durability of C 25/30 strength class concrete. The studied aggregate rocks were derived from Veria-Naousa and Edessa ophiolitic complexes as well as granodiorite and albitite rocks from their surrounding areas in central Macedonia (Greece). Concretes were produced with constant volume proportions, workability, mixing and curing conditions using different sizes of each aggregate type. Aggregates were mixed both in dry and water saturated states in concretes. Six different types of aggregates were examined and classified in three district groups according to their physicomechanical properties, petrographic characteristics and surface texture. The classification in groups after the concrete compressive strength test verified the initial classification in the same three groups. Group I (ultramafic rocks) presented the lowest concrete strengths, depending on their high alteration degree and the low mechanical properties of ultramafic aggregates. Group II (mafic rocks and granodiorite) presented a wide range of concrete strengths, depending on different petrographic characteristics and mechanical properties. Group III (albite rocks) presented the highest concrete strengths, depending on their lowest alteration degree and their highest mechanical properties. Therefore, mineralogy and microstructure of the coarse aggregates affected the final strength of the concrete specimens.

This paper investigates the effect of alteration on the physicomechanical properties of igneous rocks used as aggregates, from various areas from Greece. The studied lithologies include serpentinized dunites, serpentinized harzburgites, serpentinized lherzolites, metamorphic gabbros, diabases, dacites and andesites. Quantitative petrographic analysis shows that the tested samples display various percentages of secondary phyllosilicate minerals. Mineral quantification of the studied rock samples was performed by using the Rietveld method on X-ray diffraction patterns. The samples were also tested to assign moisture content (w (%)), total porosity (nt (%)), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS (MPa)) and Los Angeles abrasion test (LA (%)). The influence of secondary phyllosilicate minerals on the physicomechanical behavior of the tested samples was determined using regression analysis and their derived equations. Regression analysis shows a positive relationship between the percentage of the phyllosilicate minerals of the rocks and the moisture content as well as with the total porosity values. In mafic and ultramafic rock samples, the relationships between the secondary phyllosilicate minerals and their physicomechanical properties have shown that the total amount of the secondary phyllosilicate minerals results negatively on their physicomechanical properties. On the other hand, the low percentage of phyllosilicate minerals in volcanic rocks can&rsquo, t be able to define their engineering properties.

The chemistry and distribution of phases formed in a set of six laboratory-prepared magnesia-magnesium aluminate spinel ceramics and in three of their precursor spinel-based compositions, sintered at 1600°C and 1760°C respectively, are examined and compared. The evaluation of the results is the basis for the industry design of magnesia spinel refractories for new advanced applications. In each type of the materials, the spinel phases formed under their firing temperatures seem to have a strong preference for the normal structure. Cracked and noncracked domains in periclase crystals from spinel-based compositions is probably facilitated by differences in the thermal expansion coefficient of periclase crystals having domains differing in their Al2O3 contents. Periclase and spinel mixtures at lower temperatures (1600°C) involved reactions leading to the formation of different periclase s.s and spinel s.s, which depart clearly from equilibrium assemblages. Minor amounts of stoichiometric Ca-silicate and Ca-aluminate phases were formed in all materials.

Six specimens of magnesia-spinel material are made under laboratory conditions. Specimens are prepared at 1600°C from sintered magnesite and three different compositions based on spinel, previously synthesized at 1760 °C. Sintered magnesite and synthesized spinel properties are provided. Raw material properties in relation to different spinel content within them, apparent density, additions introduced, and also their effect on final product, are shown. Three forms of final product contain 8 – 11 wt.% Al2O3, and the rest contain from 19 – 21 wt.% Al2O3. Photographs taken in a scanning electron microscope, and results of microstructural analysis of raw material and final product, point to formation of direct periclase–periclase and periclase–spinel bonds, and also secondary calcium aluminate and calcium silicate phases. Secondary spinel is detected in the form of a solution within periclase, and also at grain boundaries within magnesia-spinel refractories. On the basis of petrographic criteria (mineral composition, microstructure), and also linear thermal expansion coefficient (LTEC) and ultimate strength in compression for final materials, the authors of this article propose a most suitable material with respect to quality for testing in high-temperature branches of industry.

In the present paper, we present the sedimentological characteristics and the water physicochemical parameters of Lysimachia Lake, which is one of the most important lakes of Western Greece, as it is protected by international conventions and is listed in the Natura 2000 European Network. Sedimentological analysis involved grain size analyses, moment measures, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) measurements, as well as determination of the clay minerals content. Water physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured in situ with portable equipment, while nutrients such as nitrates, nitrites, phosphates and ammonium ions, as well as TOC and TN were analyzed in a time period of 1 year seasonal monitoring. Geographical distribution of grain size and geochemical parameters indicated a clear partition in the northern and southern parts of the lake. This phenomenon can related to the discharging of a channel into the lake, the discharging of sewage effluents from Agrinio city during the last years as well as the type of clay minerals distribution. Clay minerals analyses indicated that smectite predominates in the northern part of the lake, whereas chlorite is more abundant in the southern parts. This explain the higher amounts of TOC and TN observed in the northern part of the lake and can be correlated with the higher external surface and adsorption capacity of minerals in the smectite-rich sediments. The four seasons monitoring of water physicochemical parameters indicates a relatively higher values of TOC and TN in the northern part of the lake, while nutrient concentrations indicate a uniform geographical distribution along the lake.

Από την περιοχή της Τερπνής Σερρών στη Β. Ελλάδα, μελετήθηκαν δείγματα μεταμορφωμένου πετρώματος αμφιβολίτη, το οποίο χρησιμοποιείται στην Ελληνική βιομηχανία από την εταιρία Fibran ως πρώτη ύλη για την παραγωγή πετροβάμβακα. Παράλληλα μελετήθηκαν και δείγματα από γειτονική εμφάνιση πετρωμάτων χαλαζιακού διορίτη, ως εναλλακτική πρώτη ύλη με χαμηλότερη περιεκτικότητα σιδήρου 1914 για την παραγωγή νέου ανοιχτόχρωμου μονωτικού υλικού πετροβάμβακα σύμφωνα με τις ανάγκες της αγοράς. Τα δείγματα του επιδοτιτικού αμφιβολίτη και χαλαζιακού διορίτη μελετήθηκαν πετρογραφικά, με πολωτικό μικροσκόπιο σάρωσης καθώς και με ηλεκτρονικό μικροσκόπιο σάρωσης (SEM), περιθλασιμετρία Ακτινών-Χ, φασµατοσκοπία ατοµικής εκποµπής µε πλάσµα (ICP-OES) και φασµατοφωτοµετρία ατοµικής απορρόφησης (AAS). Η ανάλυση του επιδοτιτικού αμφιβολίτη παρουσίασε ενδείξεις αποσάθρωσης σε χλωρίτη καθώς επίσης και των πλαγιοκλάστων σε σερικίτη και σμεκτίτη. Τα φυλλοπυριτικά ορυκτά που βρίσκονται στα πετρώματα αυτά επιδρούν θετικά κατά τη διαδικασία θραύσης, ανάμιξης και τήξης των πρώτων υλών κατά την παραγωγική διαδικασία του πετροβάμβακα. Η χημική, η κύρια ορυκτολογική σύσταση, ο ετεροκοκκώδης ιστός του χαλαζιακού διορίτη αλλά και η συχνή εμφάνιση φυλλοπυριτικών λόγω αποσάθρωσης, αναμένεται να συμβάλλουν θετικά τόσο κατά την παραγωγική διαδικασία (άλεση και τήξη) όσο και στην ποιότητα νέων περισσότερο ανοιχτόχρωμων και ανταγωνιστικότερων προϊόντων πετροβάμβακα., Metamorphic and igneous rocks of Terpnis' Serres in N. Greece have been studied. Nowadays these metamorphic rocks are used as raw materials in stone wool production, by Fibran industry, whilst the studied plutonic samples with lower content of iron oxide are proposed as alternative raw material for the production of new lightly colored stone wool, according to the market demands. Selected epidote amphibolites and quartz diorite samples were analyzed by ICP ΟES, AAS, XRD, Petrographic microscopy, and SEM. The epidote-amphibolites show some evidence of weathering leading to sericiticsaussuritizated plagioclase crystals and secondary smectite and chlorite nanocrystals. Phyllosilicates affect positively the grinding procedure and melting of the raw materials under industrial conditions of stone wool production, due to its lower hardness and melting point compared to that of the primary hornblende. The chemical and major mineralogical composition, the heterogeneous characteristics of textures as well as the frequent presence of phyllosilicates, due to the weathering of the plutonic studied samples, are expected to contribute to the easier grinding and melting of rocks under industrial conditions as well as to the production of a new light colored and competitive stone wool product