A major goal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Biomonitoring research program is to produce test methods to assess environmental effects of anthropogenic activities in marine waters. In support of EPA Region II involvement in the 'Brown Tide Comprehensive Assessment and Management Program,' EPA is evaluating biomonitoring methods for application in marine waters having a history of noxious algal blooms. Activities associated with two methods are in their initial development phases. A third activity involves the use of an established biomonitoring method in the Peconic Bays system of Long Island, New York. This area has had repeated 'brown tide' bloom events since 1985, with devastating impacts on shellfish and eelgrass populations.

Includes bibliographical references. Detached from: Novel phytoplankton blooms : causes and impacts of recurrent brown tides and other unusual blooms / E.M. Cosper, V.M. Bricelj, E.J Carpenter, eds. Berlin ; New York : Springer-Verlag, c1989. Book chapter. Sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory. Microfiche.