Built on the knowledge and outcomes developed by ARCOPOL project (2009-2011), ARCOPOLplus aims to further reinforce maritime safety in the Atlantic area by improving the regional preparedness and response to oil and HNS. ARCOPOLplus’ activities have been conceived focussing on technology transfer, training and innovation. On the one hand, ARCOPOL outputs will be upgraded and implemented through pilot actions and training activities in which key stakeholders from different regions will be involved. On the other hand, several gaps identified in the HNS knowledge will be addressed and further incorporated into local and regional contingency planning to contribute to build a reasonable and efficient response. Innovative tracking, forecasting and decision support tools will be adapted to the needs of local and regional authorities that will be trained on their application. Moreover, ARCOPOLplus will reinforce the existing Atlantic network of expertise in oil and HNS preparedness and response by promoting a higher involvement of the industry and key stakeholders, by developing innovative educational materials and by compiling and integrating relevant information. Achievements: AN ONLINE DATABASE OF HAZARDOUS AND NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES (HNS) SPILL INCIDENTS AT SEA – AN ARCOPOL PLUS TOOLThis database was developed on the ambit of the Atlantic Area trans-national programme project ARCOPOL PLUS (+) which aims at improving maritime safety and Atlantic regions coastal pollution response through technology transfer. Here, we performed a review on the fate and weathering of HNS involved in previous spill incidents and developed a public database that can assist in the preparedness and response to HNS spills. Information was collected for European and rest of the world HNS spill incidents. Incidents that ended in a HSN spill event were selected. Information on fate and weathering of HNS spilled in real conditions, during the event, were searched on databases (CEDRE, IMO, EMSA), reports produced by local and national authorities, other projects’ reports, scientific literature, proceedings of congresses and internet in general. Systematization of data collected regarding characterization of substances spilt was performed.Data on 119 spill incidents and 191 spilt substances were collected. A database was produced (fig. 1) that may be searched by ship name, substance involved name, location and year of the incident. Systematization on data collected regarding products spilt characteristics are presented on figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. The database produced is hosted at CIIMAR webpage (http://www.ciimar.up.pt/hns).FATE, BEHAVIOUR AND WEATHERING OF PRIORITY HAZARDOUS AND NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES (HNS) AT SEA AND SHORELINE ENVIRONMENTS – RISK ASSESSMENT DATA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH STUDIESThe response to an HNS spill incident requires appropriate risk assessment studies and detailed knowledge on the properties of the substance involved. Twenty-three substances selected from the “Top 100 harmful substance in bulk handled in the EU Atlantic ports” HASREP (2005), based on a formerly performed weight-of-evidence approach (Neuparth et al. 2011), have been studied in the scope of the of the Atlantic Area trans-national programme project ARCOPOL PLUS (+). Laboratory experiments with model marine organisms have also been carried out for selected compounds displaying different behaviour in water.Data relative to toxicological properties of priority HNS were compiled from bibliography, public databases (fig. 1) or obtained through mathematical models (EPA-EPI suit). Toxicity tests were performed with sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) larvae in 24-well plates (3 ml). Four replica were used for each HNS studied, a control (seawater) and a solvent control. Solvent was DMSO, and acetone in the sole case of hexane. The endpoint assessed for NOEC determination was larval length at 48h. HNS tested were aniline, butyl acrylate, m-cresol, cyclohexylbenzene, hexane and trichloroethene at different concentrations (Table 1 and 2). Additional bioassays with other marine species (Mytilus galloprovincialis and Scophthalmus maximus) and narrower concentration ranges are planed (fig.1).Information related to toxicological properties: primary and ultimate aerobic biodegradation anaerobic biodegradation, partition coefficient, bioaccumulation rate, biotransformation half-life, bioconcentration factor (BCF) and acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms is presented on figure 2. Sea urchin larvae toxicity tests results are presented on table 1. m-Cresol presented the lowest NOEC while hexane was the least toxic compound. Compounds toxicity differed in 2 orders of magnitude.