Meaningful measures of marine pollution effects: Report on a workshop

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sponsored a Workshop on Meaningful Measures of Marine Pollution Effects in Pensacola, Florida, on April 26-29, 1982. The purposes of the workshop were to identify which present-day techniques can be applied in a scientifically credible manner to assess and predict important pollution impacts; and to outline research approaches leading to the development of better techniques. Commonly used pollution effects measurements were classified into eight categories, and a session was devoted to each. They were: toxicity tests; laboratory microcosms and multi-species tests; community parameters and measures of community impact; bioaccumulation tests; chemical measurements and effects criteria; anomalies in field specimens; mesocosms and field systems; and pollution field monitoring programs. A ninth session dealt with approaches to a holistic assessment of pollution effects. The manuscripts, panel discussions, and recommendations were published in a volume of proceedings.