Guidance Hazardous substances: influence on nature

Index section Hazardous substances: influence on nature

• The goshawk and environmental influences
• The Sandwich tern and organochlorine compounds
• Dog whelk and common whelk, and environmentally hazardous substances
• The fulmar and flotsam

Introduction

As a result of human activities, substances that are normally absent from the environment, or present in very low concentrations, are released into the environment. Some of these substances are toxic to animals and plants. Examples include the effects of the following: pesticides on birds of prey; discharges of organochlorine compounds on the Sandwich tern; fuel oil and plastic flotsam on sea birds; anti-fouling paints on shellfish; and PCBs on seals. Measures targeted at abating air, soil and water pollution have resulted in some species recovering.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Seabirds and oil spills in the North Sea
• The common seal and the grey seal in the Waddenzee and Delta area
• Pollution of the North Sea

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• Other relevant information can be found on the Environmental Compendium: Environmental pressure