Effects of Pollution on Marine Organisms

Abstract

This review covers selected 2008 peer‐reviewed journal articles on the biological, chemical and physical effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on marine and estuarine plants and animals. The first five sections cover reviews and field and laboratory measurement activities (concentrations of contaminants, field surveys, toxicity testing and biomarkers). The last six sections focus further on pollution issues of current interest including endocrine disrupters, vessel and marine coatings, ballast water treatment, marine 1* Emergency Response Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115; Tel.206‐526‐6336; email: alan. mearns@noaa. gov ; 2Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, CA; 3Lives in Virginia, works at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and California State University Long Beach; 4 Florida Keys Nationa Marine Sanctuary, NOAA, Key West, FL; 5Exponent, Inc, Sedona, AZ; 6Retired, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA. The authors are indebted to Mr. Brian Voss, head of the NOAA Western Regional Center Library debris, oil spills, wastewater discharges, dredging and disposal, etc. There is considerable overlap across subject areas (e.g.some organotin papers may be cited in the biomarker section). As always, readers should only use this as a guide and must consult the original papers before citing them, including double‐checking units.