In September 2025, the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) carried out sampling in the Saronikos Gulf, located in the Aegean Sea, aspart of the CONTRAST project.

The sampling focused on assessing the presence and effects of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in the marine environment. The team collected caged mussels, which were then processed for biomarkerand chemical analyses to evaluate exposure and biological responses to CECs.

The next phase of the study will involve sediment sampling, targeting both biodiversity and chemical contamination.

This case study contributes to CONTRAST’s broader goal of improving our understanding of how emerging pollutants affect marine ecosystems and supporting the development of more effective environmental protection strategies.