THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM FOR MONITORING THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF CONTAMINANTS IN THE OSPAR CONVENTION AREA

Programmes and measures to control pollution in the northeastern Atlan tic, the North Sea, the Celtic Seas and the coastal zones of Western E urope are determined under the OSPAR Convention. An integral part of t his process is the monitoring and assessment of pollution in the marit ime area of Contracting Parties to the Convention. Historically, such assessments were based on measurements of contaminants in water, sedim ent and biota. However, recently the Commissions have adopted a biolog ical effects monitoring programme based on key issues identified for t he region. The programmes developed to monitor the impact of polyaroma tic hydrocarbons, tributyltin, heavy metals and the general quality st atus of the marine environment are described. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.