Ecotoxicology

In the department of ecotoxicology our testing laboratory offers performance of aquatic and terrestric ecotoxicity tests, respiration tests with compost, soil, biowastes, wastes and chemical substances. The details are summarized in the following survey:

Accredited tests:

Aquatic tests with water, water extract or chemical substances:

  • Determination of the inhibition of the mobility of daphnids (Daphnia magna, ČSN EN ISO 6341, OECD 202).
  • Fresh water algal growth inhibition test (Desmodesmus subspicatus, ČSN EN ISO 8692, OECD 201).
  • Determination of the acute lethal toxicity of substances to a freshwater fish (Poecilia reticulata, ČSN EN ISO 7346-2, OECD 203).
  • Determination of the inhibition of root growth with mustard (Sinapis alba, Methodology of Czech Ministry of the Environment, Bulletin of Ministry of the Environment CR, part 4, April 2007).
  • Determination of the inhibitory effect of water samples on the light emission of luminescent bacteria(Vibrio fischeri, ČSN EN ISO 11348-2,3).
  • Determination of the inhibition of root growth of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants (mustard Sinapis alba, lettuce Lactuca sativa, wheat Triticum aestivum + customers´ additional requirement, modification of Methodology of Czech Ministry of the Environment, Bulletin of Ministry of the Environment, part 4, April 2007).

Terrestrial tests with soil, waste, compost, sediment or chemical substances:

  • Determination of the inhibition of root growth (Lactuca sativa + customers´ additional requirement, ČSN EN ISO 11269-1, ASTM E 1963-09).
  • Inhibition of reproduction of Collembola (Folsomia candida, ČSN EN ISO 11267).
  • Inhibition of reproduction of Enchytraeidae (Enchytraeus crypticus, ČSN EN ISO 16387).
  • Determination of inhibition of nitrification - Rapid test by ammonium oxidation (ČSN EN ISO 15685).
  • Kinetic determination of the inhibitory effects of sediment, other solids and coloured samples on the light emission of Vibrio fischeri (kinetic luminescent bacteria test,Vibrio fischeri, ČSN ISO 21338) - the advantage of the test is the possibility to evaluate ecotoxicity of solid samples without water extract preparation; the test is carried out with the suspension up to 30 % w/v.

Respiration tests - aerobic and anaerobic respiration of samples with microbial activity:

  • Determination of aerobic biodegradability of organic substances - manometric respirometry (OECD 301F. ČSN EN ISO 9408)
  • Respiration activity after 4 days - AT4 (Önorm S 2027-4).
  • Determination of microbial soil respiration by measurement of pressure in static system (basal and substrate induced respiration) (ČSN EN ISO 16072, ISO 17155).
  • Determination of microbial respiration of water by measurement of pressure in static system (basal and substrate induced respiration) (modification ČSN EN ISO 16072, ISO 17155).
  • Determination of residual biogas production in digestate (Test method according to Bulletin of Ministry of the Environment CR, Part 3, March 2009, ČSN EN ISO 11734).

Non-accredited tests:

Effects of pollutants on earthworms- Part 1: Determination of acute toxicity to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei (ČSN ISO 11268-1)

Effects of pollutants on earthworms- Part 2: Determination of effects on reproduction to Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei (ČSN ISO 11268-2)

Sample quantity:

Respiration activity after 4 days (AT4) - approx.0,5 kg in polyethylene bag or glass bottle, it is recommended to start test within 48 h following sampling, during this period the sample has to be stored at 4°C± 2 °C. The sample hasn´t to be preserved. It is better for transportation to use polystyrene box with cooling filling.

Respiration of soil (basal and substrate induced) - approx. 0,7 kg, storage conditions are the same as for AT4 determination.

Other tests - It is suitable to consult sample quantity with the laboratory staff.

For more information contact us at: laborator@abitec.cz