Pollutech Enviroquatics Limited has operated a biological research laboratory, in Sarnia and now in Point Edward, Ontario, Canada, continuously since the early 1970's. This biological research laboratory, working with the company's life sciences group, has been performing routine compliance bioassays as well as developing new and innovative bioassay and biomonitoring techniques for over 20 years. This biological research expertise, together with other corporate capabilities provides a unique addition to any environmental project team. For example, Pollutech Environmental's process engineering group routinely uses toxicity tests to determine the toxic component(s) of wastewater streams and to test methods for treatment of the component(s).

Legislative changes and a change in the attitude of the general public towards the environment has made biological testing of chemicals and effluent discharges an issue of increasing concern during recent years. Though the trend has historically been to conduct in depth chemical analysis to determine environmental conditions, biological testing has become an increasingly major component of environmental monitoring. While chemical analysis provides an indication of the contaminant levels, biological testing provides a measure of the potential effects these contaminants have on aquatic biota.

Case examples of previous work include:

• Pollutech Enviroquatics has been conducting routine Rainbow Trout compliance testing since the mid seventies and Daphnia magna compliance testing since 1988. We are currently performing MISA regulated acute bioassays with these organisms for a number of industrial sectors.
• Pollutech Enviroquatics has also been conducting fathead minnow and Ceriodaphnia dubia chronic bioassays since 1990 and is currently performing these tests for several industrial sectors regulated under MISA and well as those under the EEM regulation.
• Organisms currently and recently being cultured and utilized in toxicological assessments are: BACTERIA - Microtox; ALGAE -Selenastrum capricornutum, Chlorella fusca; INVERTEBRATES - Daphnia magna, Daphnia pulex, Ceriodaphnia dubia, Zebra Mussels; FISH - Rainbow Trout (embryo, fingerlings, adults) Fathead Minnow (embryos, larvae and adults), Medaka (embryos and larvae), Threespine Stickleback (saltwater adults).
• Pollutech Enviroquatics has completed several multispecies assessments of effluent discharges for several industrial groups. These assessments utilize a variety of aquatic species to form a "Burden of Evidence" defining the potential toxicological impact the effluent discharges have on the environment.
• Pollutech has also conducted Toxicity Identification Evaluations/Toxicity Reduction Evaluations (TIE/TRE) on several wastewater streams to isolate the source, component and treatment for a source of toxicity.

The laboratory has successfully participated in several "round robin" tests and has a QA/QC program which meets the requirements of several regulatory bodies. We have a history of completing demanding bioassay and biological monitoring programs on time and on budget to the total satisfaction of our clients. We have also achieved full accreditation from the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL). This accreditation for the lethality bioassays was achieved through provision of appropriate documentation, and participation in performance evaluation standards and a site audit. Additional details such as testing protocols, QA/QC procedures, costs and references can be provided upon request.