Biological Markers of Environmental Contamination in Marine Ecosystems: Biomar Project Coordinating Group

Abstract

Biochemical markers measured in marine animals can be investigated to improve their detection, quantification and to understand the significance of their exposure to contaminants in the marine environment. The main objectives of the BIOMAR project are the following: (i) Getting a better knowledge about biological mechanisms developed by marine organisms (mussel, fish, sea star, sea urchin) in coastal environments under the effects of contaminants, by in virro and in vivo experiments; (ii) Investigation of the relationship between biochemical markers measured in marine organisms and chemical pollutants (aromatic compounds, PCB, heavy metals) determined in the marine environment (sediment, water and biota); (iii) Characterization of the criteria and physiological/biochemical/cellular parameters for an efficient coastal contamination biomonitoring program based on biomarkers; and (iv) Automation of biomarker measurements for routine and onboard analysis. An overview of the results is presented from laboratory and field experiments with multimarker and multispecies approaches as the main objective.