Metal pollution in Piraeus Port, a major Mediterranean port

The heavy metal pollution in Piraeus Port and its neighbouring coastal areas was studied during 1998, in both seawater and sediments. The metal contents in seawater and sediment samples indicate that not only the Piraeus port but the whole studied coastal area is affected by polluting activities. The high percentages of dissolved metals in seawater and of extractable metals in sediments, which can be easily uptaken by marine organisms, indicate a poor seawater quality. Piraeus port may be considered as a source of metals for the neighbouring coastal zone.