COAST Lisboa - 27-28 Feb Methods Discussion Anton Edwards COAST / (SEPA)

Introduction COAST Meeting - 27-28 Feb Types for intercalibration Baltic Mediterranean North East Atlantic Pressures Standardisation of Methods

Standardisation of Methods Annex V 1.3.6 Methods used for the monitoring of type parameters shall conform to the international standards listed below or such other national or international standards which will ensure the provision of data of an equivalent scientific quality and comparability. We are NOT required to develop ISO CEN for marine. It is OK to use other national or international standards.

COAST Group: Conclusions on Standardisation of Methods For transitional and coastal waters there is a need for well-documented and uniform sampling methods guidelines on physical, chemical and biological analysis

COAST Group Conclusions on Standardisation of Methods The marine conventions already have a system aimed at developing and maintaining guidelines on sampling, analyses, and quality assurance and control. ICES has and should play an important role when guidelines are elaborated and adopted.

Existing Methods - Marine Conventions There is a wealth of existing methods There are many existing long-term time series Strategy: Use existing methods where available Exploit existing time series Identify any gaps in existing methods COAST message - Don’t reinvent the wheel Lots of important time series will be lost if we change methods or try to standardise across Europe. We don’t need to standardise methods across Europe as intercalibration will only be possible within ecoregios - ie existing convention areas. Avoid duplication Avoid diversion Avoid excessive costs

Guideline / International standard Quality Element Object Guideline / International standard BIOLOGICAL Q.E.   Phytoplankton Sampling procedure; Abundance OSPAR and HELCOM Conventions: HELCOM COMBINE Manual, Part C., Annex C-6, OSPAR JAMP Eutrophication Monitoring Guidelines: Phytoplankton). Abundance ; Composition Standard in preparation: CEN/TC 230 NO423 "Water quality - Guidance standard for the routine analysis of phytoplankton abundance and composition using inverted microscopy (Utermöhl technique)" - The first working document shall be available in December 2003. Chlorophyll a HELCOM COMBINE Manual (Part C, Annex C-4), OSPAR JAMP Eutrophication Guidelines: Chlorophyll a. ISO guideline (ISO 10260), only for the spectrophotometric determination of chlorophyll ‘a’.

Macroalgae / Angiosperms Phytobenthos HELCOM COMBINE Manual (Part C, Annex C-9) OSPAR JAMP Eutrophication Guidelines: Benthos. ISO standards are being developed (see Annex IV) See also Marine Monitoring Handbook, JNCC (downloadable from http://www.jnvv.gov.uk/marine) Benthic Invertebrate Fauna   HELCOM COMBINE Manual (Part C, Annexes C-8 and C-9): Guidelines for Macrozoobenthos Monitoring OSPAR JAMP Eutrophication Monitoring Guidelines: Benthos. Final Hearing: ISO TC 147/SC5 N350: ISO/CD 16665 - ‘Water quality - Guidelines for quantitative investigations of marine soft-bottom benthic fauna in the marine environment‘ See also Marine Monitoring Handbook, JNCC (downloadable from http://www.jnvv.gov.uk/marine)

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL Quality Elements   Most parameters, incl. nutrients, oxygen OSPAR JAMP Eutrophication Monitoring Guidelines: Nutrients, Oxygen, HELCOM COMBINE Manual Part B, Annex B-11 and B-14 and Part C, Annex C-2.

COAST : from Method Review AQUATIC FLORA AQUATIC FAUNA Aspect / Feature Phytoplankton Macroalgae/Angiosperms (Phytobenthos) Benthic invertebrate fauna Typical sampling frequency Best: 15 days At least: monthly sampling at standard depths Determine best regional/type-specific sampling design (i.e. maximum and minimum levels) Seasonally preferable (4 times for year) At least twice per year (max/min cover); regionally different (HELCOM: once per year) Frequency may be less for seagrasses and/or other long-lived species Seasonally preferable at least during peak growth period As recommended in OSPAR/HELCOM/ICES guidelines once per year (same season) At least twice per year for Mediterranean Ecoregion   Typical sample size Variable: usually 50-250 ml, /1 litre As recommended in OSPAR/ HELCOM/ ICES guidelines Variable dependent on methodology and phytobenthos group types Quadrats of different sizes ( from 15x15cm to several m2 depending on the size of the group) As recommended in OSPAR/HELCOM/ICES guidelines or SCUBA Diving transects (ISO std under development) Variable dependent on methodology Quadrats of different sizes ( 20÷50 cm) for hard bottom Combination of nets and corers for soft bottom As recommended in OSPAR/HELCOM/ICES guidelines Nature of reference for comparison of quality/samples/stations   Reference; QA according to (inter)national programmes and recommendation (OSPAR/HELCOM/ ICES) BEQUALM, under development QUASIMEME (chloro-a Ref. type material at Universities & research Institutions; quality assurance according to national and international programmes and recommendation (/HELCOM COMBINE guidelines) (OSPAR/HELCOM/ICES;) BEQUALM (UK and NL) Methodology consistent across EU? No but consistent across NE Atlantic and across Baltic Sea (OSPAR and HELCOM Countries)

COAST Group Activities: Compiling a list of existing methods Identifying gaps Resolving how gaps will be filled Avoid duplication Avoid diversion Avoid excessive costs