Because of the explicit reference in the EQSD to the use of sediments and biota as preferred matrices for the monitoring of substances with accumulation potential - especially for the assessment of long-term trends, but also for compliance checking, wherever appropriate - Member States of the European Union (EU) asked the European Commission to publish a guidance document to enhance the degree of harmonization among EU countries in chemical monitoring of sediments and biota, taking into account best available techniques, standard procedures and common practices.
This article presents the key features of that guidance document, its main recommendations for chemical monitoring of sediments and biota and the scope for further improvement in current monitoring practices.