Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

 

Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

    Biological Effects of Contaminants

    Subprogramme: Imposex

    GENERAL INFORMATION

    NOTE: The programme topic is still under development.

    Monitoring of biological effects provides the link between concentrations of contaminants, and the effect contaminants may have on the status of biodiversity. The monitoring undertaken is currently linked to the HELCOM core indicator Tributyltin (TBT) and imposex, other potential indicators are currently being developed and tested. The response time of bioeffect indicators to a change in the concentration of contaminants can vary significantly, some bioeffect parameters change within hours showing the acute stress of the organism, while other parameters track the change in reproductive capacity of a certain species which can have long-term effects on population size.

    ​Sub-programme: Imposex

    NOTE: This sub-programme is still under development.

    RESPONSIBLE HELCOM SUBSIDIARY BODIES

    State and conservationContact information: HELCOM Secretariat