Abstract
The monitoring of chemical contaminants, as required by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 8, should allow for the seamless protection of the marine environment against chemical pollution. A list of priority substances (PS) at EU level is provided under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for coastal and territorial waters. EU Member States may also identify in their coastal waters substances of national or local concern (River Basin Specific Pollutants, RBSP). The MSFD provisions foresee the consideration of contaminants that are not covered by the WFD, but entail a significant risk to, or via, the marine environment. A close collaboration with Regional Sea Conventions is crucial, as contaminants cross national and EU borders.
Chemical substances occurring in the marine environment might derive from specific seabased sources, such as shipping, mariculture, offshore oil and gas production, marine renewable energy devices, seabed mining, dredging of sediments, dumping of dredged material and historical dumping. This report consists of a scientific review of the literature to compile a list of marine specific contaminants potentially entering the marine environment from these sea-based sources. It also provides an overview of the environmental policy instruments and frameworks in place to oversee and regulate these substances within the EU.
The resulting list should support Member States in setting-up of monitoring approaches, including hotspots screening, and therefore, help guide the selection of relevant substances for MSFD Descriptor 8 implementation and also contribute to the work done in RSCs