ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil Advance Access originally published online on July 28, 2008
ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil 2008 65(8):1508-1514; doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsn120
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This article appears in the following ICES Journal of Marine Science issue: Marine Environmental Indicators: Utility in Meeting Regulatory Needs [View the issue table of contents]
Contaminants in marine ecosystems: developing an integrated indicator framework using biological-effect techniques
1 Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
2 Deltares, Marine and Costal Systems, PO Box 177, 2600 MH Delft, The Netherlands
3 Department of Biology, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway
Correspondence to J. E. Thain: tel: +44 1305 206620; fax: +44 1305 206601; e-mail: john.thain{at}cefas.co.uk
Thain, J. E., Vethaak, A. D., and Hylland, K. 2008. Contaminants in marine ecosystems: developing an integrated indicator framework using biological-effect techniques. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1508–1514.Input of contaminants is an important pressure in most urbanized coastal areas, but establishing appropriate indicators of their presence and effects has been challenging. Such indicators would, at the very least, have to integrate chemical and biological data. One difficulty has arisen because the measurements provide information on different levels of biological organization (gene level up to community), although it is not obvious how this information could be conceptually linked. In addition, there are complicating factors, such as the differing ecological relevance of measurements, natural variation, confounding factors, and knowledge of background level or responses for each method. The challenge of how to take these issues forwards is discussed in light of current scientific thinking and of meeting international obligations. First, an integrated approach must be developed to using biological-effect techniques with chemical measurements, and second, assessment tools are required. Proposals for both of these have been initiated by ICES and OSPAR working groups and workshops. Concomitantly, steps have been taken to develop integrated assessment tools on a national basis. These show promise but highlight the difficulties of using biological-effect measures as indicators of ecosystem health.
Keywords: assessment criteria, biological effects, contaminants, integrated approach
Received 23 December 2007; accepted 21 May 2008; advance access publication 28 July 2008.
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