meeting in Bermuda this week.

And the great minds are having to rely on simpler organisms to check on the terrible mess mankind has made of the seas.

The International Mussel Watch members were discussing the results of a study of the coastal waters around Central and South America, which will be published early next year.

They are part of a major environmental conference at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

Mussel Watch began in the United States 20 years ago. One of the founders Dr.

Edward Goldberg explained: "We were concerned about the quality of coastal waters being jeopardised by human activity.

"We found four principle contamination agents -- metals, pesticides, unlawful radio nuclides from nuclear fuel and petroleum hydrocabons.

"Testing large amounts of sea water would prove far too expensive so we came up with a better way using bivalves like mussels or oysters.

"They pump sea water through their bodies at a rate of about a litre a day and as a by-product of filtering they pick up many of these substances.'' By sampling mussels in 100 sites around the United States the group was able to pinpoint areas of concern and come up with at least one case where pollution was being caused by a company unlawfully pumping waste into the sea.

While such findings are not commonplace, the main reason for Mussel Watch is to look at how countries deal with pollution problems in their waters. And Dr.

Goldberg has some good news.

He said: "Our tests have been reproduced in other countries like France, China and Russia. And results have shown that the situation is improving in developed countries.'' Amounts of the deadly chemical DDT, polycarbons and quantities of a tin-based anti-fouling paint for the bottom of boats have decreased.

The present meeting concerns the tests carried out around Central and South America, but Dr. Goldberg would not give out the results.

In fact he said that the main result so far has been the co-operation among the scientists from all over the world. He said: "We have brought scientists together and removed communication barriers.'' International Mussel Watch executive officer Mr. Bruce Tripp said: "I was surprised that the people we have spoken to felt scientifically isolated. They did not realise they had access to each other.'' Also involved in the meeting was Dr. John Farrington, a top scientist in the field of oil spillages.

MUSSEL WATCHERS -- Top scientists meeting at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research. Front left is Mr. Bruce Tripp, third left, Dr. John Farrington and, far right, Dr. Edward Goldberg.