Selection of non-toxic substances

Hazard assessment of non-toxic substances

Non-toxic substances do not appear on lists of priority substances (see linked table below). However, this should not imply that they are not of concern to the regulatory authorities. The non-toxic substances, or groups of substances of concern, have been identified by the nature conservation agencies and include:

• Nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon
• Organic carbon
• Oxygen depleting substances: BOD, COD
• pH
• Salinity
• Temperature: thermal discharges
• Turbidity (including suspended solids)

A profile of each non-toxic substance, or group of substances, has been prepared providing information on the major sources, fate and behaviour in the marine environment and main biological effects. These profiles are located in Appendix C.

The information used for each profile has been drawn partly from reviews undertaken on behalf of English Nature and from other readily available information. Exhaustive literature reviews have not been carried out. The profiles outline the main primary and secondary effects but do not purport to detail every possible effect.

The linked table summarises the key features of each non-toxic substance, or group of substances, and so provides an initial indication of the hazard to interest features of European marine sites.

There are no standard criteria that can be applied to non-toxic substances for fate, behaviour and effects and consequently the table linked above contains the main points drawn from the profiles in the Appendix.

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