Contaminants of emerging concern including pharmaceutical products, endocrine disruptors and contaminants found in personal care products, including micro plastics and nano plastics, are increasingly detected in surface and marine waters. There are concerns about the impact of these contaminants on the marine environment, ecosystems and biodiversity as some of these substances exhibit impacts on aquatic organisms at very low concentrations, in particular on their reproduction and development.
– Develop and test integrated assessment and monitoring of impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on marine environment, ecosystems and biodiversity
– Adopt an integrated and systemic approach to the assessment of impacts
– Contribute to the improvement of understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of contaminants of emerging concern in marine environment
– Recommend best practices in monitoring of the circulation of these contaminants in the marine environment for their possible future integration in EU pollution monitoring systems and policies
– Filled gaps in knowledge about the impacts and risks of contaminants of emerging concern
– Advanced understanding of possible interactions between the changing marine environment and contaminants of emerging concern
– Designed and tested solutions for integrated assessment and monitoring of the circulation and impacts of contaminants
– Developed tools and guidance to support the implementation of relevant EU policies
