title: Integrated indicator framework and methodology for monitoring and assessment of hazardous substances and their effects in the marine environment.
abstract: Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes which include the measurement of chemical contaminants and related biological effects. How best to integrate data obtained in these two types of monitoring into meaningful assessments has been the subject of recent efforts by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Groups. Work within these groups has concentrated on defining a core set of chemical and biological endpoints that can be used across maritime areas, defining confounding factors, supporting parameters and protocols for measurement. The framework comprised markers for concentrations of, exposure to and effects from, contaminants. Most importantly, assessment criteria for biological effect measurements have been set and the framework suggests how these measurements can be used in an integrated manner alongside contaminant measurements in biota, sediments and potentially water. Output from this process resulted in OSPAR Commission (www.ospar.org) guidelines that were adopted in 2012 on a trial basis for a period of 3 years. The developed assessment framework can furthermore provide a suitable approach for the assessment of Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
authors.affiliation: Deltares, Marine and Coastal Systems, Boussinesqweg 1, 2629 HV Delft, The Netherlands; Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: dick.vethaak@deltares.nl.
authors.forename: A Dick
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vethaak
authors.affiliation: Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK.
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: CEFAS, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Thain
authors.affiliation: Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gubbins
authors.affiliation: Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Oceanographic Centre of Murcia, Varadero 1, PO BOX 22, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez-Gómez
authors.affiliation: Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK.
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK.
authors.forename: Colin F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Moffat
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, B.P. 21105, F-44311 Nantes Cédex 03, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burgeot
authors.affiliation: CEFAS, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Science, Pakefield Road, NR330HT, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Statistics, University of Bremen, Achterstr. 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wosniok
authors.affiliation: Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, County Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giltrap
authors.affiliation: Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Deichstr. 12, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ketil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hylland
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D058735:Environmental Policy; D005062:European Union; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioassay; Biomarker; Biomonitoring; Chemical measurements; Environmental; ICES; Impact; MSFD; OSPAR; Pollution effects