Oceanographic and sedimentological processes in a semi-enclosed gulf. Amvrakikos gulf, western Greece

Περίληψη

Amvrakikos Gulf is a tectonically produced estuary, located in central Western Greece. It is a semi- enclosed embayment separated from the Ionian Sea by a beach barrow complex of Holocene age. On 2008, 2009 and 2011, three (3) research cruises were carried out in order to obtain oceanographic data. During this period, a total of 21 observation stations were positioned through the gulf and measurements were carried out throughout the water column. In the same period, another survey took place in the area, in which a 30 m core was obtained from Logarou Lagoon, in order to be analyzed and give results, concerning the environments that are found in the area. After elaborating with the data, it was found that a well-stratified two layer structure in the water column develops in the Gulf, whilst during winter period the pycnocline is disappeared with lower rates of salinity and higher provisioning inflow of brackish water from the rivers. In the course of summer, anoxic conditions occur at depths exceeding 25 meters. Also, based on the organic matter and magnetic susceptibility, there were identified 3 lithostratigraphic units which subscribe the enviroment express the conditions that are charactering every zone.