Biological Effects

Although current discharges to the aquatic environment are controlled, many hazardous substances still find their way into the sea (e.g. from diffuse sources). Additionally, substances that were discharged historically may persist in marine sediments.  Monitoring the biological effects of hazardous substances in Scotland’s marine environment has focussed on measuring EROD (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase) activity in flatfish and imposex in dog whelks.  EROD is a detoxification enzyme whose activity in the liver varies in response to certain persistent organic pollutants.  Imposex is the development of male sex organs in female marine snails through exposure to the banned anti-fouling paint tributyltin (TBT) and can result in reproductive impacts on individuals and population decline.