Thesis Title: «Photochemical degradation of the antibiotic meropenem in aqueous solutions»

Thursday  10 October 2019, at: 14:00, Venue: Hall Κ2.A3

Examination Committee

• Professor  George Karatzas (advisor)
• Professor Nikolaos Nikolaidis
• Associate Professor Nikolaos Paranychianakis

Abstract

A rational management of water resources is required nowadays more than ever and the plans that have to be devised must be fully harmonized with the potential upcoming changes in the climate. The aim of this present Thesis was about modeling the groundwater flow of the extended area of the hydrogeological basin of Kourtaliotis in order to examine the impacts of climate change to the system through four climate scenarios. The modeling was performed with the ArgusONE program and the three-dimensional hybrid PTC simulation model for groundwater flow.

   The study area is located in the central-south part of Rethymnon Prefecture and extends up to the south coast. Specifically, it covers an area of 184km2 and pertains to the Municipality of Agios Vasilios. The study area includes a large part of the hydrogeological basin of Kourtaliotis, which is of great hydrogeological interest. The complex geological structure combined with the tectonics, form the existing hydrogeological conditions. The data that are provided for the study area relate to geology, tectonic, hydrogeology, land uses and the Natura 2000 network which belongs.

   In the first part of this master's thesis, the basic principles and laws of underground flow are presented as well as the fundamental equations for its mathematical approach. Reference was also made in climate change and its consequences, with particular emphasis on groundwater systems. Next, data input and processing followed in the model PTC in order to simulate the study area. The calibration of the model showed a very good correlation between the values ​​in hydraulic head of the field with these from the model.

   Afterwards, the results of modeling and from the hypothetical climate scenarios for the study area are presented. In conclusion, in the first three scenarios the system appeared to have a low degree of sensitivity to changes in parameters such as infiltration, lateral inflows and in increasing the pumping rates up to a limit. In contrast, at the fourth and last extreme scenario, a further increase in pumping and in combination with a decrease in infiltration and lateral inflows had significant impacts on the aquifer. Finally, due to the large groundwater reserves that the area has, a development of a general plan is proposed for better management and utilization of them where they could satisfy the demands in water supply and irrigation in the Prefecture.

Key words: PTC, Kourtaliotis, Simulation, Aquifer, Hydrogeology