Biomonitoring strategy to assess the effects of chemical pollution along the Iberian Mediterranean Coast: Present state and future development

Abstract

Since 2001, the Oceanographic Centre of Murcia (Spanish Institute of Oceanography, IEO) started to include selected biomarkers within the chemical pollution monitoring activities conducted along the Iberian Mediterranean coast. The main objectives of this biomonitoring programme are: (1) the determination of spatial distribution and temporal trends of chemical pollution in coastal and reference areas; (2) to seek evidence of detrimental biological effects and assess them over time. Sediment samples, feral fish (Mullus barbatus) and wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are analysed yearly for selected pollutants (trace metals, organochlorinated compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and selected biomarkers are measured in fish and/or mussels (EROD activity, metallothionein content, micronuclei frequency, genotoxic damages, acetylcholinesterase, stress on stress and lysosomal membrane stability). An integrated chemical-biological effect assessment approach is being conducted at four selected areas since 2006. Due to its geographical location, Spain contributes to both the CEMP and MEDPOL programmes and our future strategy will be focused to achieve the harmonization of criteria among different programmes and to meet the monitoring requirements in a cost-effective and cost-efficient way. The general strategy and methods of this biomonitoring programme together with some preliminary results and future development (use of caged mussels) are described and discussed.