ABSTRACT
To assess the effects of chemical contaminants on environmental quality of estuarine and coastal marine systems, several national monitoring programs have been conducted during the past three decades. The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) subsequently developed the US Mussel Watch consisting of two annual nationwide surveys (1976 to 1978) of Polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) and DDE contamination at about 100 sites. In 1986, the National Status and Trends Program initiated Biological Effects Surveys and Research to further investigate those regions where laboratory analyses of samples indicated a potential for substantial environmental degradation and biological impacts of the contaminants. Initiated in 1984 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a component of the National Status and Trends Program, the National Benthic Surveillance Project (NBSP) is a cooperative effort between the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Office of Oceanography and Marine Assessment of the National Ocean Service.
