River Inputs to the West and Central African Marine Environment: UNEP Regional Seas Studies and Reports No. 3

Within the framework of the Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the West and Central African Region (WAF) UNESCO has been charged by UNEP {Project FP/0503-79-o8} with an evaluation of the present status of regional monitoring of contaminants in river waters and sediments discharging into the West and Central African marine environment from the coastal countries. The main objectives are: (i) to assess the present knowledge on the water and sediment discharged by major West African rivers to the West and Central African marine environment; (ii ) to assess the nature and quantity of chemical compounds entering the West and Central African marine environment through rivers that are of concern to human health and/or to the environment; to recommend harmonised methods of analysis of river dissolved and particulate pollutants in the region and to assist in developing the basis for water quality control measures in the coastal. zone including beeches and productive areas to identify institutions, laboratories ana. individual scientists actively involved in river studies relevant to the project (hydrology, chemistry, sedimentology).