Rapid reduction in marine species
Many species in the gulf have sustained losses, according to a survey by Thessaloniki University’s biology and chemistry departments last year. They analyzed the biodiversity on the bed of the gulf and made comparisons with conclusions from a similar survey in 1976 by the UN Environment Program. The comparison showed a major deterioration. «The effect of pollution on the communities of species studied has increased over the past 30 years,» said Professor Athanassios Koukouras. In certain cases, the reduction in species was 20 percent in 1976 and over 40 percent in 2006. The gulf is divided into three zones: the azoic zone (with no aerobic microorganisms and therefore no biodiversity), the heavily polluted and moderately polluted zones. In 2006, scientists found that the zones had increased in size. The azoic area, which was small and in 1976 restricted to the area around the White Tower, has now extended toward Mikro Emvolo and the one that had been on the Kalochori coast, where petroleum is unloaded, has grown. «It is a question of political will. Measures need to be taken at once,» said Koukouras.
