GB17378.7-2007
The specification for marine monitoring - Part 7：Ecological survey for offshore pollution and biological monitoring
海洋监测规范 第7部分: 近海污染生态调查和生物监测
GB 17378.7-2007 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for The specification for marine monitoring - Part 7：Ecological survey for offshore pollution and biological monitoring. It appears in the Environment compliance cluster with a environmental protection focus and has an implementation date of May 1, 2008.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
GB 17378.7-2007 specifies the technical requirements for sample collection, experimentation, analysis, and data processing for offshore pollution ecological surveys and biological monitoring. This standard applies to biological investigation, monitoring, and evaluation of nearshore marine environmental pollution, including plankton, macrobenthos, and intertidal biological surveys, as well as mariculture zone monitoring. It is mandatory for all organizations conducting marine pollution ecological assessments in Chinese waters. The standard does not cover freshwater or deep-ocean monitoring; those activities are governed by other parts of the GB 17378 series, such as GB 17378.4 (seawater analysis) and GB 17378.5 (sediment analysis).
Technical requirements
The standard establishes comprehensive technical requirements across multiple biological and ecological monitoring domains. For plankton ecological surveys, it specifies sampling methods using shallow-water plankton nets (Types I, II, and III), sample fixation protocols using iodine solution for phytoplankton and 5% formalin for zooplankton, and counting procedures including sedimentation, direct, and concentration counting methods. Survey types must be selected based on investigation objectives: baseline, monitoring, or emergency tracking surveys. For macrobenthos ecological surveys, the standard mandates the use of grab samplers (0.1 m² or 0.05 m²) and various trawl nets, with specific requirements for sampling frequency, station layout, and specimen processing. Key biological parameters include species identification, habitat density, biomass, relative abundance, and community diversity. Specimens must be fixed in 5% formalin (or 70% alcohol for long-term storage) and processed according to standardized protocols. For intertidal biological surveys, the standard requires tidal zone classification (high, mid, low) based on tidal parameters or biological vertical distribution, with quantitative sampling using 25 cm × 25 cm quadrats. Chlorophyll-a determination is specified via both fluorescence spectrophotometry and spectrophotometry methods, with extraction using 90% acetone solution. Water quality and sediment quality evaluation in mariculture zones must follow the single-factor pollution index method, with water quality assessed against GB 3097-1997 Class II standards and sediment against GB 18668-2002 Class I standards. The standard also covers fecal coliform detection (fermentation and membrane filtration methods), total bacterial count (plate count and fluorescence microscopy), biological toxicity testing (LC₅₀ and EC₅₀ determination), fish avoidance response experiments, filter feeding rate measurement, and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin detection using mouse bioassay. New additions in this version include mariculture zone monitoring, Vibrio enumeration, and sediment fecal coliform and heterotrophic bacteria detection methods.
Testing methods
The standard prescribes the following key testing methodologies: Plankton counting via sedimentation, direct microscopy, and concentration methods; Chlorophyll-a measurement using fluorescence spectrophotometry (excitation 436 nm, emission 670 nm) and spectrophotometry (664/647/630 nm wavelengths); Fecal coliform detection via multi-tube fermentation (MPN method at 44°C) and membrane filtration on M-TEC medium; Total bacterial count via plate counting on 2216E medium (25°C, 7 days) and acrid orange direct fluorescence microscopy; Toxicity testing using probit analysis or the Karber method for LC₅₀/EC₅₀ calculation; PSP toxin detection via mouse bioassay with death time-to-mouse-unit conversion tables; Filter feeding rate determined by algal concentration changes measured through cell counting, electronic particle counting, or in vivo fluorescence; and Mariculture zone evaluation using single-factor pollution indices, Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H'), nutritional index (E), organic pollution index (A), and nutritional status quality index (NQI).
FAQs
What products or activities are regulated under GB 17378.7-2007?
GB 17378.7-2007 regulates biological and ecological monitoring activities in China's nearshore marine waters. It applies to organizations conducting pollution ecological surveys, baseline investigations, environmental impact assessments, and mariculture zone monitoring. It is particularly relevant for entities involved in offshore oil platforms, waste dumping areas, aquaculture operations, and red tide monitoring programs.
What are the main updates from the previous version (GB 17378.7-1998)?
The 2007 version adds several new sections: mariculture zone monitoring (Chapter 15), standardized recording forms (Appendix A), Vibrio enumeration via plate count (Appendix D), sediment fecal coliform detection (Appendix E), sediment heterotrophic bacteria total count (Appendix F), heterotrophic bacteria evaluation grading (Appendix G), water and sediment quality evaluation data compilation (Appendix H), and mariculture zone monitoring report format requirements (Appendix I).
How does GB 17378.7-2007 relate to international standards?
GB 17378.7-2007 is a China-specific national standard that does not directly adopt ISO standards. However, many of its methodologies—such as MPN-based fecal coliform detection, chlorophyll-a fluorometric analysis, and LC₅₀ toxicity testing—align with internationally recognized practices. The standard references other parts of the GB 17378 series (GB 17378.1 through GB 17378.6) and GB 3097-1997 (Seawater Quality Standard) and GB 18668-2002 (Marine Sediment Quality) for evaluation criteria.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 17378.7-2007. To ensure complete compliance for your marine monitoring projects in Chinese waters, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications—including all sampling protocols, analytical formulas, evaluation criteria, and standardized recording forms—is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 17378.7-2007 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, testing procedures, and appendices.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Environmental protection
- CCS
- A45
- ICS
- 07.060
- Competent department
- Ministry of Natural Resources (Marine)
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Marine of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB 17378.7-1998