A study of oil pollution effects on the ecology of a coastal lake ecosystem

Abstract

This study aims to examine ecological affinities in Lake Koumoundourou in Central Greece. The main finding of the study is that, although the lake is heavily polluted by crude oil, the water circulation, which is assisted by wind, is such that bioaccumulation of pollutants is avoided. The oil film on the surface of the lake is forced to outflow into Elefsis Bay and the concentration of heavy metals in the water column and sediment is lower than from other areas without oil pollution. The zoobenthos is rich in large-sized, pollution-resistant Nereis spp. and 64 phytoplankton species exist in the lake. The lake also supports mullets (Mugil spp.) and eels (Anguilla anguilla).