D8C1 relates to the levels of contaminants in the marine environment, which risk causing chronic effects on marine organisms; D8C2 relates to the adverse effects (impacts) of these contaminants on species populations and biological communities; Significant acute pollution events: D8C3 relates to the spatial extent and duration of significant acute pollution events; D8C4 relates to adverse effects from these significant acute pollution events on species and habitats. Table 15. Criteria for assessment of contaminants (Descriptor 8) 2010/477/EU Primary Criteria Secondary Criteria Criteria or Comments Relating to: Relating to: Indicators D8C1 Contaminant Pressure concentrations in 8.1.1 the relevant matrix Chronic pollution D8C2 Effects of contaminants on Impact health of species 8.2.1 and condition of habitats D8C3 Significant Pressure acute pollution 8.2.2 8.2.2 has two events aspects (pressure Acute and impact) D8C4 Adverse pollution which are now effects of separated in the significant Impact 8.2.2 revised Decision pollution events on species and habitats Degree of Integration The degree of integration across criteria is not yet determined. The revised COM Dec requires outputs separately for each criterion, but also specifies that the use of D8C2 and D8C4 in the overall assessment of GES for Descriptor 8 shall be agreed at regional or subregional level. This includes whether the criteria feed in to the assessment of Descriptor 8 or not, and the possible integration methods to be used. For D8C1 and D8C2, each assessed criterion should be within threshold values. D8C3 requires the definition of a ‘significant acute pollution event’; when this occurs, D8C4 should be assessed and reported on. There are no threshold values for D8C3 and D8C4. D8C2 and D8C4 should contribute, where appropriate, to the assessment under Descriptors 1 and 6. Assessment Flow The assessment flow for Descriptor 8 is described below.
D8C1 relates to the levels of contaminants in the marine environment, which risk causing chronic effects on marine organisms; D8C2 relates to the adverse effects (impacts) of these contaminants on species populations and biological communities; Significant acute pollution events: D8C3 relates to the spatial extent and duration of significant acute pollution events; D8C4 relates to adverse effects from these significant acute pollution events on species and habitats. Table 15. Criteria for assessment of contaminants (Descriptor 8) Primary Criteria Relating to: Secondary Criteria Relating to: 2010/477/EU Criteria or Indicators Comments Chronic pollution Pressure D8C1 Contaminant concentrations in the relevant matrix 8.1.1 Impact D8C2 Effects of contaminants on health of species and condition of habitats 8.2.1 Acute pollution Pressure D8C3 Significant acute pollution events 8.2.2 8.2.2 has two aspects (pressure and impact) which are now separated in the revised Decision Impact D8C4 Adverse effects of significant pollution events on species and habitats 8.2.2 Degree of Integration The degree of integration across criteria is not yet determined. The revised COM Dec requires outputs separately for each criterion, but also specifies that the use of D8C2 and D8C4 in the overall assessment of GES for Descriptor 8 shall be agreed at regional or subregional level. This includes whether the criteria feed in to the assessment of Descriptor 8 or not, and the possible integration methods to be used. For D8C1 and D8C2, each assessed criterion should be within threshold values. D8C3 requires the definition of a ‘significant acute pollution event’; when this occurs, D8C4 should be assessed and reported on. There are no threshold values for D8C3 and D8C4. D8C2 and D8C4 should contribute, where appropriate, to the assessment under Descriptors 1 and 6. Assessment Flow The assessment flow for Descriptor 8 is described below.
GES_16-2016-02_Guidance_MSFDArt8.docx