Pikrolimni (lake)

Pikrolimni
Πικρολίμνη (Greek)
Lake Pikrolimni
View of lake Pikrolimni
Pikrolilmni geographical location
Pikrolilmni geographical location
Pikrolimni
Location of Pikrolimni within Greece
LocationKilkis, Central Macedonia, Greece
Coordinates40°50′05″N 22°48′46″E / 40.83472°N 22.81278°E / 40.83472; 22.81278
Typehypersaline lake
Etymology"Bitter lake" (in Greek)
Primary inflowsnone (endorheic)
Catchment area42.5 km2 (16.4 sq mi)
Basin countriesGreece
DesignationNatura 2000 protected area
CORINE biotope
Max. length2.4 km (1.5 mi)
Max. width2.3 km (1.4 mi)
Surface area3.7 km2 (1.4 sq mi) (average)
Average depth0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
Max. depth1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Salinity153‰
Shore length18.5 km (5.3 mi)
Surface elevation50 m (160 ft)
Frozennever
SettlementsNea Filadelfeia
Mikrokampos
WebsiteNatura 2000 SDF
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Pikrolimni (Greek: Πικρολίμνη 'bitter lake') is an endorheic, alkaline salt lake in Kilkis prefecture, Greece.[1][2] It is located on the border of the Kilkis and Thessaloniki regional units, about 40 km northwest of Thessaloniki.[2][3] The lake is hypersaline, has rather shallow waters (0.5–0.7 m) and a shoreline of about 8.5 km.[3][4] The water surface area shows significant seasonal variation (3.2–4.5 km2) due to evaporation in the summer months, with an average value of 3.7 km2.[1][4]

Pikrolimni is the only salt lake in Greece and constitutes a biotope with rare halophytic vegetation surrounded by common reeds, which is home to various common and endangered bird species.[3][4][5] The habitat has been listed since 1996 as a Natura 2000 site of community interest and special protection area, while also protected by the Ramsar convention.[5]

The lake was known in ancient times as Chalastra (Ancient Greek: Χαλάστρα), a famous source of natron and trona for Graeco-Roman glassmaking.[1][6] In modern times it has been a site of pelo- and balneotherapy, with a spa specialising in such treatments using the lake's briny water and characteristic black mud.[2][7]

  1. ^ a b c Dotsika, E.; Poutoukis, D.; Tzavidopoulos, I.; Maniatis, Y.; Ignatiadou, D.; Raco, B. (2009). "A natron source at Pikrolimni Lake in Greece? Geochemical evidence". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 103 (2): 133–143. Bibcode:2009JCExp.103..133D. doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2009.08.003. ISSN 0375-6742.
  2. ^ a b c Dimopoulos, G.; Myriounis, Ch.; Mattas, Ch. (2009). "Contribution to the Investigation of the Origin of Salinity in Pikrolimni Lake, Central Macedonia". Ydrogaia: Collection in honour of Prof. Ch. Tzimopoulos (PDF) (in Greek). Thessaloniki: Ziti Publications. pp. 377–388.
  3. ^ a b c "LIMNI PIKROLIMNI (GR1230001)". Natura 2000. European Environment Agency. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  4. ^ a b c "Pikrolimni". Natura Graeca, Guide to Greek Wilderness (in Greek). Retrieved 3 Apr 2021.
  5. ^ a b "LIMNI PIKROLIMNI - XILOKERATEA (GR1230004)". Natura 2000. European Environment Agency. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Sofianska, E.; Athanassoulis, C.; Tarenidis, D.; Xirokostas, N.; Gkagka, M. (2019). "Textural, Mineralogical and Geochemical Assessment of the Pikrolimni Lake Sediments (Kilkis District, Northern Greece) and Suitability for use in Pelotherapy". Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece. 55 (1): 170–184. doi:10.12681/bgsg.21080. ISSN 2529-1718.

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