ABSTRACT
In a world where the use of chemicals is increasing daily, in industry, on farms, and in homes, levels of many chemicals are elevated in marine and coastal environments. There remain many threats from local point-source polluters such as industries, water treatment plants, and sewage outfalls, as well as from nonpoint sources (pollution arising from many locations). Moreover, the threat from long-range atmospheric transport and deposition is increasing as many chemicals from power plants and industries are transported to all regions, including the Arctic and the Antarctic (Houghton et al. 1992). Aquatic and marine environments are particularly at risk because of the rapid movement of contaminants in water, compared to movement in terrestrial environments.
