The Consequences of contaminants to living marine resources and human health : FY 1986 program description

Contamination of marine waters is a primary concern when it presents risks to human health or when ecological changes are induced that could result in decreased abundance of valued living marine resources. The Consequences of Contaminants Program of the Coastal and Estuarine Assessment Branch (CEAB), Ocean Assessments Division, addresses these concerns by focusing upon two marine environmental quality management questions: 1) What is the significance of existing or potential levels of contamination as risks to human health or populations of valued living resources; and 2) can consequences of contaminants be predicted and quantified with a level of confidence useful in ocean-use management decisions? In addition to addressing these questions, the program is designed to explore new measurement techniques for application in monitoring marine environmental quality under NOAA's National Status and Trends Program. A description of this program is available from the Ocean Assesssments Division. This second annual document briefly describes progress made over the last year and future directions.