Opms - a Web-Based Ocean Pollution Monitoring System

Abstract

Marine pollution poses risks to ecosystems and human health, demanding effective monitoring. This study introduces the Ocean Pollution Monitoring System (OPMS), a web tool visualizing seasonal and annual changes in marine pollutants along Canada’s coastlines. Tracking fecal coliform and biotoxins like paralytic and amnesic shellfish poisoning, OPMS draws on 20 years of data from nearly 15,000 shellfish sites across six provinces. Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) reveals pollutant trends, allowing users to identify high-risk periods and regions. Accessible at http://opms.uvic.ca, OPMS supports informed decisions on shellfish safety and water quality, aiding environmental managers and policymakers in proactive interventions to safeguard marine health and biodiversity.

Keywords: Fecal coliform, Paralytic shellfish poisoning, Amnesic shellfish poisoning, Domoic Acid, Web-based application, Functional Principal Component Analysis