The Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (EAGME) conducted an extensive soil sampling campaign in areas of Attica affected by the devastating wildfire of August 11, 2024.
Specifically, an EAGME scientific team carried out on-site inspections and collected surface soil samples from the regions of Grammatiko, Varnavas, Dionysos, Marathon, Lake Marathon, Drafi, Nea Penteli, and Nea Makri.
The soil samples collected from the wildfire zone—which burned approximately 10,000 hectares—will be analyzed to assess the fire’s impact on soil quality, with particular focus on the concentration of potentially toxic elements and other chemical substances.
This analysis is expected to provide critical insights into both the immediate and long-term environmental effects of the disaster. The ongoing geochemical investigation aims to contribute significantly to understanding the consequences of the wildfire, offering valuable data for the restoration and protection of natural resources, while also supporting future planning for disaster prevention and response.
The EAGME field team responsible for the sampling consisted of members of the Department of Geochemistry and Environment (GEP): Dr. Alexandros Liakopoulos, Dr. Panagiotis Papazotos, and Ms. Triantafyllia Samara, M.Sc.