Mapping of contamination 'problem areas' and "non-problem areas" based on measurements in the matrix 'biota'.This dataset underpins the findings and cartographic representations published in the report Contaminants in Europe's seas. This dataset presents the resulting assessment grid (based on the EEA reference grid) with the classification of chemical status of the transitional, coastal and marine waters in the context of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This classification has been performed using the CHASE+ tool, with classifications of the biota matric. The chemical status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as "non-problem areas" and PAmoderate, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as "problem areas". Monitoring and assessment for the matrix 'biota' has been carried out in the North-East Atlantic Ocean (482 assessment units), Baltic sea (198 assessment units), Mediterranean Sea (161 assessment units) and Black sea (12 assessment units). See the EEA report "Contaminants in Europe's seas" (No 25/2018) for further information as well as examples of classification excluding specific groups of substances(e.g. metals, PBDEs).
CHASE classification of contaminant status in biota