The mysterious smell that blanketed Athens and its Attica is most likely attributed to a gas leak from a ship, according to data presented by Efthimios Lekkas.
What the first investigations showed and how Euth. Lekkas
New data is coming to light about the mysterious smell that had covered Athens and especially the coastal front of Attica, causing concern among residents and scientists.
The president of the OASP, Ethymios Lekkas, revealed that the investigations carried out recently now lead to a prevailing scenario for the origin of the odour that was felt in mid-May in areas of the Lekanopedi.
As he explained, when the phenomenon first appeared, various possible causes were examined, as there was insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions.
Scenarios ruled out
Among the scenarios under the microscope of the experts was the possibility of a release of gas from the seafloor due to natural processes or decomposition of organic matter, while the possibility of a leak from the natural gas network was ruled out early on.
The possible link between the odour and the submarine Pausanias volcano was also considered, but no volcanic activity was recorded to account for the phenomenon.
Ship leakage the most prevalent scenario
Scientists from the National Observatory of Athens and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research played a key role in the investigations. According to their findings, traces of butane and propane were detected in the atmosphere, while analysis of meteorological data and the course of the winds indicated the sea zone south of Salamis as a possible area of origin.
The investigations ruled out the possibility that the gases came from the subsea floor or from natural processes at sea.
Based on the evidence so far, the prevailing scenario is now a man-made cause and in particular a possible leakage of gases from a passing ship that was in the area.
As Mr. Lekkas, of the five main scenarios initially considered, most have been ruled out, with investigations increasingly converging on the ship leak version.
