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

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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’.

8. 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
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 ‘Water quality - Guidelines for quantitative investigations of marine soft-bottom benthic fauna in the marine environment‘
See also Marine Monitoring Handbook, JNCC (downloadable from

9. 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.

10. 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 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)

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