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ACT Workshop on Trace Metal Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
ACT W
ORKSHOP
: T
RACE
M
ETAL
S
ENSORS
FOR
C
OASTAL
M
ONITORING
The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) Workshop on
Trace Metal Sensors for Coastal
Monitoring
was convened April 11-13, 2005 at the Embassy Suites in Seaside, California with
partnership from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Research Institute (MBARI).
Trace metals play many important roles in marine ecosystems. Due to their extreme toxicity, the
effects of copper, cadmium and certain organo-metallinc compounds (such as tributyl tin and
methylmercury) have received much attention. Lately, the sublethal effects of metals on
phytoplankton biochemistry, and in some cases the expression of neurotoxins (Domoic acid),
have been shown to be important environmental forcing functions determining the composition
and gene expression in some groups. More recently the role of iron in controlling phytoplankton
growth has led to an understanding of trace metal limitation in coastal systems. Although metals
play an important role at many different levels, few technologies exist to provide rapid assessment
of metal concentrations or metal speciation in the coastal zone where metal-induced toxicity or
potential stimulation of harmful algal blooms, can have major economic impacts. This workshop
focused on the state of on-site and
in situ
trace element detection technologies, in terms of what
is currently working well and what is needed to effectively inform coastal zone managers, as well
as guide adaptive scientific sampling of the coastal zone. Specifically the goals of this workshop
were to: 1) summarize current regional requirements and future targets for metal monitoring in
freshwater, estuarine and coastal environments; 2) evaluate the current status of metal sensors and
possibilities for leveraging emerging technologies for expanding detection limits and target
elements; and 3) help identify critical steps needed for and limits to operational deployment of
metal sensors as part of routine water quality monitoring efforts.
Following a series of breakout group discussions and overview talks on metal monitoring
regulatory issues, analytical techniques and market requirements, workshop participants made
several recommendations for steps needed to foster development of
in situ
metal monitoring
capacities:
1. Increase scientific and public awareness of metals of environmental and biological
concern and their impacts in aquatic environments. Inform scientific and public
communities regarding actual levels of trace metals in natural and perturbed systems.
2. Identify multiple use applications (e.g., industrial waste steam and drinking water quality
monitoring) to support investments in metal sensor development. Technologies with
E
XECUTIVE
S
UMMARY