RT Report
T1 GESAMP: Environmental Capacity; An Approach to Marine Pollution Prevention - UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 80
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
K1 environmental analysis
K1 sea level
K1 environmental aspect
YR 1986
FD 1986
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/11890
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/11890
NO This report presents a framework for assessing and managing marine pollution using the concept of Environmental Capacity. Prepared by the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP), the document offers detailed guidelines and scientific rationale for evaluating the impact of pollutants on marine environments. It defines Environmental Capacity as the ability of a specific ecosystem to absorb contaminants without unacceptable harm, considering physical, chemical, and biological processes. The methodology emphasizes site-specific and contaminant-specific assessments, including probabilistic and deterministic approaches, critical pathway analysis, and adaptive management strategies. The report outlines processes for monitoring, validation, and iterative reassessment to ensure regulatory compliance and environmental protection. It features practical case studies across various regions and contaminants, demonstrating how environmental objectives can be achieved through modeling, risk assessment, and decision analysis.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 24, 2026