The role of natural science collections in the biomonitoring of environmental contaminants in apex predators in support of the EU’s zero pollution ambition
Authors: Movalli Paola , Koschorreck Jan , Treu Gabriele , Slobodnik Jaroslav , Alygizakis Nikiforos , Androulakakis Andreas , Badry Alexander , Baltag Emanuel , Barbagli Fausto , Bauer Kevin , Biesmeijer Koos , Borgo Enrico , Cincinelli Alessandra , Claßen Daniela , Danielsson Sara , Dekker René W. R. J. , Dietz Rune , Eens Marcel , Espín Silvia , Eulaers Igor , Frahnert Sylke , Fuiz Tibor I. , García-Fernández Antonio J. , Fuchs Jérôme , Gkotsis Georgios , Glowacka Natalia , Gómez-Ramírez Pilar , Grotti Marco , Hosner Peter A. , Johansson Ulf , Jaspers Veerle L. B. , Koureas Dimitris , Krone Oliver , Kubin Eero , Lefevre Christine , Leivits Madis , Lo Brutto Sabrina , Lopes Ricardo Jorge , Lourenço Rui , Lymberakis Petros , Madslien Knut , Martellini Tania , Mateo Rafael , Nika Maria-Christina , Osborn Dan , Oswald Peter , Pauwels Olivier , Pereira MGlória , Pezzo Francesco , Sánchez-Virosta Pablo , Sarajlić Nermina , Shore Richard F. , Soler Francisco , Sonne Christian , Thomaidis Nikolaos , Töpfer Till , Väinölä Risto , van den Brink Nico , Vrezec Al , Walker Lee , Weigl Stephan , Wernham Chris , Woog Friederike , Zorrilla Irene , Duke Guy 
Published: September 2022

The chemical industry is the leading sector in the EU in terms of added value. However, contaminants pose a major threat and significant costs to the environment and human health. While EU legislation and international conventions aim to reduce this threat, regulators struggle to assess and manage chemical risks, given the vast number of substances involved and the lack of data on exposure and hazards. The European Green Deal sets a ‘zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment’ by 2050 and the EU Chemicals Strategy calls for increased monitoring of chemicals in the environment. Monitoring of contaminants in biota can, inter alia: provide regulators with early warning of bioaccumulation problems with chemicals of emerging concern; trigger risk assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances; enable risk assessment of chemical mixtures in biota; enable risk assessment of mixtures; and enable assessment of the effectiveness of risk management measures and of chemicals regulations overall. A number of these purposes are to be addressed under the recently launched European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals (PARC). Apex predators are of particular value to biomonitoring. Securing sufficient data at European scale implies large-scale, long-term monitoring and a steady supply of large numbers of fresh apex predator tissue samples from across Europe. Natural science collections are very well-placed to supply these. Pan-European monitoring requires effective coordination among field organisations, collections and analytical laboratories for the flow of required specimens, processing and storage of specimens and tissue samples, contaminant analyses delivering pan-European data sets, and provision of specimen and population contextual data. Collections are well-placed to coordinate this. The COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility provides a well-developed model showing how this can work, integrating a European Raptor Biomonitoring Scheme, Specimen Bank and Sampling Programme. Simultaneously, the EU-funded LIFE APEX has demonstrated a range of regulatory applications using cutting-edge analytical techniques. PARC plans to make best use of such sampling and biomonitoring programmes. Collections are poised to play a critical role in supporting PARC objectives and thereby contribute to delivery of the EU’s zero-pollution ambition.