BSH kompakt 
29 
• Scientific colloquium at the 
BSH on current issues of 
marine research 
• Start of step-by-step 
modernisation of the marine 
monitoring network MARNET 
• Completion of work for a 
3-year research project 
on novel pollutants in the 
marine environment 
• Issue of BSH report “Nord- 
seezustand 2004” (status of 
the North Sea in 2003) 
• Inauguration of the BSH’s 
new laboratory building in 
Hamburg-Sillldorf 
For this reason, the North Sea and Baltic Sea are monitored routinely for 
pollutants, nutrient levels, and radioactivity. At the BSH’s laboratory, thorough 
chemical analyses are made of the water samples taken during monitoring 
cruises of the BSH’s vessels. These data, together with the measurement results 
of physical parameters like temperature, salinity, and currents as well as the data 
from our automated monitoring network, enable us to assess the status of the 
North and Baltic Seas and to determine causal relationships In the longer term. 
On the whole, North Sea analysis data have shown that the concentrations of 
most pollutants and nutrients have decreased markedly and are much lower 
today than 20 years ago. The environmental status of the Baltic Sea, whose 
natural features render It particularly vulnerable, was found to be similar. The 
main problem In that area still Is the high nutrient loads, which promote the 
development of algal blooms causing oxygen depletion. 
Measurement data of the BSH are used In the compilation of International 
quality status reports, which are Issued at regular Intervals by the regional 
marine environmental organisations: for the North-East Atlantic by the OSPAR 
Commission, and for the Baltic Sea by the Helsinki Commission. Quality status 
reports serve as a basis for the development of new or modification of existing 
recommendations, programmes, and standards, which are Implemented or 
developed further In co-operation with the BSH. 
Forschungsschiff GAUSS 
Research vessel GAUSS