Title: The Mussel Watch approach and its applicability to global chemical contamination monitoring programmes

Authors: Jose L. Sericano

Addresses: Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, 833 Graham Rd., College Station, TX 77845, USA

Abstract: Although the use of biological monitors has become a standard practice in different national and international programmes over the past two decades, there are several complicating factors that need to be taken into account when sampling over large geographical extensions. Species availability, physiological conditions, and climatic variables encountered over large areas of study are a few of the factors that need to be considered in order to produce data that are meaningful and comparable. Thus, the applicability of the Mussel Watch concept to global chemical contamination monitoring programmes requires careful planning and design of a sampling strategy to try to minimise the effects of these factors.

Keywords: contamination; geographical variables; global monitoring; mussel watch.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2000.002323

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2000 Vol.13 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.340-350

Published online: 15 Aug 2003 *

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