Biomarkers: A Pragmatic Basis for Remediation of Severe Pollution in Eastern Europe

Many areas of Eastern Europe have been polluted to an extent unknown in the West. Four such sites - Kola Peninsula, northern Bohemia, upper Vistula Basin, and Katowice - have been identified and detailed accounts of the pollution at these sites are given. The current status of the use of biomarkers in hazard assessment is given by several scientists from NATO countries. Four working groups, comprising scientists working on the polluted sites and western scientists with expertise in biomarkers, examine the use of biomarkers to assess the environmental health of each of these areas and make recommendations on the future direction of remedial action in these areas.

Zusammenfassung
Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop, Cleszyn, Poland, 21-25 September 1997

Inhalt

1. Key-Note Presentations.- Investigations of Pollution Problems in Eastern Europe and Russia.- 1. Dynamics of the Industrial Transformation of Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Kola Subarctic.- 2. Biomonitoring in Northern Bohemia Mining Area, Czech Republic.- 3. The Environmental Situation in the Upper Vistula Basin (Southern Poland).- 4. Ecological Problems of the Katowice Administrative District.- 5. Validation of Selected Biomarkers in Invertebrates from the Polluted Silesian Region.- 6. Genetic and Oncogenic Consequences of Chemical and Radiation Pollution of the Kuzbass and Altai Regions.- 7. Using Various Biomarkers for the Estimation of the Situation after an Accident at Siberian Chemical Plant.- 8. Animals of the Katowice Administrative District (KAD). Pollution in the Past and Present.- 9. The Use of Biomarkers in Hazard Assessment.- 10. Biomarkers in Plants.- 11. Biomarkers in Invertebrates. Evaluating the Effects of Chemicals on Populations and Communities from Biochemical and Physiological Changes in Individuals.- 12. The Use of Biomarkers in Vertebrates.- 2. Working Groups Reports.- 1. Report of the Working Group on the Katowice Administrative District, Poland: A Review of Research Done to Date, and Recommendations for Future Research.- 2. Report of the Working Group on the Katowice Administrative District: Assessing Environmental Quality in the Upper Vistula Basin of Poland, Using Biomarkers.- 3. Report of the Working Group on Northern Bohemia.- 4. Report of the Working Group on the Strategy for the Implementation of a Biomarker Biomonitoring Programme in the Kola Peninsula, Russia.- 3. Abstracts of Posters.- 1. Concentration of Heavy Metals in Selected Grasses in Relation to their Soil Content in a Heavily Polluted Area.- 2. Using Biomarkers to Monitor Remedial Actions at a Subtidal Estuarine Site Severely Contaminated with Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons.- 3. Heavy Metal Pollution of the Upper Silesia Region: Biomonitoring Studies of Magpie (Pica pica) Tissues.- 4. Energy Metabolism in the ButterflyParnassius appollofrom Pieniny Mountains (Southern Poland) and its Possible Use for Biotope Assessment.- 5. Small Mammals as Bioindicators for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Bohemia.- 6. Accumulation of Mutagenic Xenobiotics in Water Ecosystems with Special Reference to Lake Baikal.- 7. The Situation Regarding Air Pollution in the Czech Part of Black Triangle (CZ-BT) and its Impact on Spruce Canopy Using Inner Cycling.- 8. Contamination of Lake Baikal with Organic Priority Pollutants.- 9. Monitoring and Biological Indicators in Kuzbass.- 10. Assessment of Water Pollution from Oil Shale Processing Using Biomarker Responsein vitroand in PLHC-1 Fish Cellsin vitro.- 11. The Effect of Zinc on Detoxifying Enzymes in the Ground BeetlePoecilus cupreus.- 12. Biotesting as a Method of Environmental Assessment in Industrial Areas.