A 2-yr (1997–1998) survey aiming at the establishment of national data bases concerning the quality of surface waters has been conducted in the major river systems of Macedonia, N. Greece. This paper presents the physicochemical parameters(pH, conductivity, total suspended solids, temperature and DO),the organic pollution parameters (BOD₅, COD) and the major N and P species (NO₃ ⁻, NO₂ ⁻,NH₄ ⁺,organic N, orthophosphates and total P) determined at 25 sampling sites located on main rivers, tributaries, streams andditches that drain the major rural, agricultural, urban and industrial areas of N. Greece. Use of multivariate statistics is also made to identify the principal factors which influencethe chemistry of the water in individual river systems.The eutrophication status of the examined systems was evaluatedby means of N/P ratios. Mean N/P ratios showed large variationsamong sampling sites ranging from potential N- to P-limitationconditions. N/P ratios at particular sampling sites showed also great temporal variability thus suggesting temporary states of N- or P- limitation. Most frequently, highest ratio values wereobserved during winter and early spring. Comparisons are made between data from this study region and literature on rivers elsewhere.

Corrosion products have been takenfrom 130 copper or bronze outdoor objects all overEurope. Their chemical composition and crystalsymmetry have been determined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-ray powderdiffraction. Data on location, sampling, objectcharacteristics, general environment and air pollutionlevel; type, colour and chemical composition of thecorrosion layers have been obtained and evaluated by multivariate statistical analysis. The resultsverify that the highest air pollution levels are usually associated with the occurrence of thick,black or dark grey corrosion layers on copper orbronze objects, preferentially containing soot, ironoxide hydroxides, and antlerite,Cu₃(SO₄)(OH)₄. Pale green corrosionusually contains brochantite,Cu₄(SO₄)(OH)₆, and is rather associatedwith less polluted areas. Atacamite, a copper hydroxide chloride with the chemical formula Cu₂Cl(OH)₃, is preferentially observed in coastal regions.In addition, sulphur isotope analyses have beenperformed on eleven corrosion samples from citycenters. The δ³⁴S values are typically inthe region from +4 to +6‰ relative to the sulphurisotope standard CDT (Canyon Diablo Troilite) with amean value of 4.7±1.2 (1σ), therebyindicating that the sulphur in the corrosion layers,in the form of brochantite or antlerite, mainlyoriginates from a similar source despite geographicvariation, most likely sulphur contained in air pollutants.