The Pollutech biological research group, under the direction of Pollutech EnviroQuatics Limited, has considerable experience in many aspects of aquatic and terrestrial biology. This work has involved both routine survey investigations and the development of biological programs customized to suit specific problems.

Customized programs include:

• Fish inventories and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys to establish existing biological communities;
• Aquatic sediment assessment from a chemical and biological perspective;
• "In-situ" fish cage studies and fish kill investigations;
• Fish toxicity evaluations for both lethal and sub lethal effects; (e.g. Rainbow Trout, Fathead Minnows, Medaka etc.);
• Invertebrate toxicity evaluations for both lethal and sub lethal effects on Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia, Algae, Amphipods, Microtox;
• Development of effluent biomonitoring systems using micro and macro biological indicators;
• Measurement of taste and odour accumulation in fish flesh to establish potential impact and/or change in quality of effluent discharges;
• Measurement of the bioaccumulation of toxic substances in various endemic biological communities;
• Terrestrial vegetation and wildlife surveys;
• Plant and animal inventories and related impact evaluations;
• Bacteriological surveys and specialized studies for biological waste treatment systems and natural colonies;
• Aquatic toxicity reduction evaluations (TRE) of effluent discharges;
• Zebra mussel monitoring and control programs.

Pollutech's biological services generally form an integral part of monitoring programs or environmental assessment projects. When necessary, discreet biological analysis can be provided. The real impact of biological monitoring, however, is realized in the long-term evaluation of a population change, rather than in identification of the existing population.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF POLLUTECH'S BIOLOGICAL MONITORING EXPERIENCE

• Development of a fish aquarium and biomonitoring display for filter treatment plant effluent.
• Ambient water quality assessment using aquatic organisms, (e.g. Rainbow Trout, Rainbow Trout eggs, Fathead Minnows, Daphnia).
• Evaluation of taste and odour accumulation in fish flesh in conjunction with pilot plant studies on an effluent treatment system.
• Development of technique to measure the biological acceptability of dredging spoils.
• Sediment toxicity evaluations using Fathead Minnows, Daphnia, Amphipods, Microtox etc.
• Photomicrographic classification of protozoan and bacterial colonies in water, wastewater and sludges.
• Study of flora and fauna in a pond-marsh ecosystem, field survey and environmental assessment.
• Vegetation survey conducted to assess the effects of emissions of air pollutants.
• Investigation of combined effects of pulp mill effluent with excess dissolved nitrogen in a river on fish toxicity.
• Routine LC50, and pass/fail fish bioassays according to Government Guidelines and Regulations.
• Investigation of bacteriological growths in effluent treatment systems and water distribution systems.
• Benthic survey of river ecosystems prior to plant start-up for an environmental assessment, and in follow-up legal proceedings.
• Use of fish flesh tainting index to determine treatability alternatives for refinery effluents.
• Several Flora/Fauna ecological surveys as part of detailed environmental assessments.