ABSTRACT
The previous chapters illustrate the usefulness of biomarkers for monitoring environmental health. Various types of biomarkers can be used to detect the presence of pollutants in the environment and, in some cases, to evaluate their impact on living organisms. However, in situ use of biomarkers for evaluating the ecological impact of environmental pollutants still requires conceptual and methodological improvements. Recent introduction of biomarkers in national and international environmental quality monitoring programmes raised some questions on the actual use of these biological tools. On the basis of current knowledge, it seems possible to analyse the feedback from field use of biomarkers and to consider approaches that, in the future, should improve the assessment of environmental effects of pollutants.
