Primary tabs

monitoring
Monitoring

Marine Scotland Science (MSS) undertakes a wide range of monitoring covering many aspects of the Scottish marine ecosystem.

Monitoring is undertaken in Scottish Inshore Waters, using networks of volunteers and automatic recording equipment, as well as in Scottish Offshore Waters, using the MSS research vessels MRV Alba na Mara and MRV Scotia.

Marine Scotland Science also participates national monitoring programmes, such as:

  • UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS)
  • UK Marine Environmental Change Network (MECN)
  • UK Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN)

This group provides published data from monitoring these activities. For many activities, there are national or international standards for how the monitoring is undertaken.

License

UK Open Government Licence (OGL)

Other Access

The information on this page (the dataset metadata) is also available in these formats.

JSON RDF

via the DKAN API

Social

2025 UK Marine Strategy Assessment - Descriptor 8 - contaminants in water

The contaminants in water data used in 'Status and Trends of Chemicals (excluding metals, PAHs, PCBs and PBDEs) in Water, Biota and Sediment' a Descriptor 8 Indicator in the UK's 2025 Marine Strategy Assessment.

doi: 
https://doi.org/10.7489/12544-1
Citation: 
Scottish Government, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). 2025. 2025 UK Marine Strategy Assessment - Descriptor 8 - contaminants in water. doi: 10.7489/12544-1

Data and Resources

Concentration of other organic contaminants in the water column
Concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water column
Pesticide concentrations in water bodies
FieldValue
Publisher
Monitoring
Modified
2025-06-03
Release Date
2025-06-02
Identifier
17792e30-a37b-443f-bd28-2b208acb84ae
Language
English (United Kingdom)
License
UK Open Government Licence (OGL)
Data Dictionary

Coastal water bodies around the UK were classified for contaminant concentrations in water as part of the 2021 Cycle 3 Classification under the Water Framework Directive Regulations. These classifications were downloaded from Water Watch Wales and Water Classification Hub or were provided by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The number of water bodies that passed / failed was tabulated for 74 contaminants (or groups of contaminants) for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and for the whole UK.

The results form the basis of the water component of 'Status and Trends of Chemicals (excluding metals, PAHs, PCBs and PBDEs) in Water, Biota and Sediment' a Descriptor 8 Indicator in the UK's 2025 Marine Strategy Assessment.
Contact Name
Scottish Government, Marine Directorate
Contact Email
marinedirectorate@gov.scot
Public Access Level
Public