Pollution status of North Sea sediments: an international integrative study
Chapman, P.M. (1992). Pollution status of North Sea sediments: an international integrative study. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 91(1-3): 313-322
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599, more
Also appears in:Stebbing, A.R.D.; Dethlefsen, V.; Carr, M. (Ed.) (1992). Biological effects of contaminants in the North Sea: Results of the ICES/IOC Bremerhaven Workshop. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 91(1-3). Inter-Research: Amelinghausen. 361 pp., more
| |
Keywords |
Analysis Data > Pollution data Pollution > Sediment pollution ANE, North Sea [Marine Regions] Marine/Coastal |
Abstract |
This paper describes the pollution status of North Sea sediments, and is based on results of sediment testing conducted during the Bremerhaven Workshop designed to test various methods (chemical and biological) for assessing the status of North Sea waters, sediments and biota. Testing comprised 2 transects, one down current from an abandoned drilling site, and the other across the German Bight from the mouth of the Elbe northwest. Sediment methods focused on toxicity testing, chemical analyses, and measures of in situ benthic community structure. Together these 3 methods comprise the Sediment Quality Triad. Using the Triad in a burden-of-evidence approach, it was determined that sediments nearest the Elbe are moderately polluted (pollution is defined as contamination, toxicity and benthic community alteration), and that sediments offshore and at Dogger Bank are unpolluted. Sediments nearest the drilling site show evidence of relatively low level toxicity and benthic community alteration. |
|