The overall aims of the INRAM project were to study the environmental concentrations of established priority compounds (cf. OSPAR, Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the UNECE lists) and emerging pollutants (e.g. pharmaceuticals), and their transfer via the three Belgian coastal harbours and the Scheldt, to coastal waters; apply a unique combination of novel field and laboratory ecotoxicological and chemical techniques to establish both effects and food chain transfer of these chemicals;for the first time, establish the relationship between local occurrence of hazardous compounds, ecosystem health and potential human health effects, through the use of consumer organisms as test/monitoring species (e.g. commercial fish, crustacean and mollusc species); and develop and evaluate a framework and toolbox for monitoring the chemical anthropogenic pressures on coastal ecosystems and commercial marine products.