A novel use of the caesium-137 technique to estimate human interference and historical water level in a Mediterranean Temporary PondA novel use of the caesium-137 technique to estimate human interference and historical water level in a Mediterranean Temporary Pond Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-10-062014enThe sustainability of, and the effects of human pressures on, Omalos Mediterranean Temporary Pond (MTP), Chanea, Greece was assessed. The 137Cs technique was used to identify alleged anthropogenic interference (excavation) in the studied area. It was found that about one third of the ponds bed surface material had been removed and disposed of on the northeast edge, confirming unplanned excavations that took place in the MTP area some years ago. Nonetheless, five years after the excavation, the MTP's ecosystem (flora and fauna) had recovered, which indicates that these small ecosystems are resilient to direct human pressures, like excavations. Moreover, with the 137Cs technique it was possible to identify the historical water level of Omalos MTP, when the fallout from the Chernobyl accident reached this area, in May of 1986. Therefore, the 137Cs technique can be useful in the identification of the historical water level of small MTPs and other ephemeral water bodies. Applications include the verification and validation of hydrological models.Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικό http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Journal of Environmental Radioactivity12775–81 Foteinis Spyridon Φωτεινης Σπυριδων Bizoura Aikaterini Μπιζουρα Αικατερινη Panagopoulos Georgios Παναγοπουλος Γεωργιος Chatzisymeon Efthalia Χατζησυμεων Ευθαλια Kallithrakas Nikolaos Καλλιθρακας Νικολαος Manoutsoglou Emmanouil Μανουτσογλου Εμμανουηλ Elsevier Caesium-137 Soil erosion Mediterranean Temporary Pond Historical water level Gamma ray spectrometry