Work with a partner with more than 20 years of experience in a wide range of study types on water quality and aquatic life. Why not see what studies we can help you with.
View All Fish Studies
Fera offers a full package of studies to GLP on aquatic non-target organisms, on microorganisms and ready biodegradability tests. The potential toxic effects of Plant Protection Products (PPPs), chemicals and metabolites on algae and aquatic macrophytes are examined using different types of study designs in accordance with current OECD and EPA guidelines, covering the requirements for the registration of plant protection products (PPPs) and veterinary medicines.
All studies are planned and performed by an experienced team of scientists and technical personnel, with the analytical dose verification and fate of the active ingredient(s) is performed as close as possible in parallel to the biological part of the study. We can also adapt our services to provide bespoke tests that meet your specific data requirements.
"Our routine tests can be adapted to suit your particular data requirements"
Fera has the best people in the right place focussed on delivering the right solution. We continuously invest in our people and support them in delivering the best science to our partners.
Gordon Turnbull
Gordon works on the detection and measurement of herbicide, pesticide, veterinary medicine and other chemical residues. As a GLP study director, Gordon has conducted a wide range of studies including method development and validation, the analysis of crops and animal tissues, and environmental risk assessment studies using both radiolabelled and non-radiolabelled chemical substances.
Steve Mattock
Steve is the Head of the Ecotoxicology group at Fera. Steve has over 22 years practical experience of conducting ecotoxicology studies in both industry and contract research laboratories. In addition, he has also spent over 15 years working as an environmental risk assessor preparing ecotoxicology risk assessments for plant protection products, biocides and REACH related registrations.
Karen Thorpe
Karen is an aquatic biologist based in the Ecotoxicology group at Fera. Her role is to deliver high-quality aquatic ecotoxicology studies and she has over 20 years practical experience of working with aquatic organisms in an ecotoxicological setting. Karen has been involved in the development of methodologies for assessing the effects of chemicals on reproductive physiology and will be responsible for expansion of the science capabilities within the group to evaluate chemicals for endocrine disruption.
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By Sector : Environmental Risk Assessments
Plant Protection Products (PPP)
Fera has over 30 years' experience working with international partners, helping them develop effective, sustainable, and safe chemical products that minimise ecosystem impact and pollution. Our goal is to provide you with high quality endpoints for the registration of your crop protection product. As your partner we offer you access to state-of-the-art facilities and a leading team of expert ecotoxicologists who can deliver studies appropriate to your needs, across global regulatory frameworks. Find out more.
Veterinary Medicines & Feed Additives
Ecotoxicology studies are required by most of the major regulatory authorities to assess the potential hazards posed by veterinary medicines when released into the environment. Consideration must be given to whether the veterinary medicine is a natural substance, the use of which will not alter the concentration or distribution of the substance in the environment. Will the it be used only in non-food animals, etc. Fera offers a full package of studies to GLP on aquatic non-target organisms tests and are planned and performed by an experienced team of scientists and technical personnel. Find out more.
Bespoke Studies
We can also adapt our services to provide bespoke tests that meet your specific data requirements.
Using our state of the art new aquatic laboratory which provides 13 test rigs housed in three holding rooms with programmable temperatures and lighting regimes.
All studies are planned and performed by an experienced team of scientists and technical personnel, with the analytical dose verification and fate of the active ingredient(s) is performed as close as possible in parallel to the biological part of the study. Why not get in touch to discuss your specific requirements.
Interested in taking a tour of our new mesocosm facility - for Higher Tier Risk Assessments?
Study Guideline⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Description of Test
OECD 201
Freshwater alga and cyanobacteria, growth inhibition test
Daphnia sp. acute immobilisation test
OECD 203 Fish, acute toxicity test
OECD 235 Chironomus sp., Acute Immobilisation Test
OECD 210 Fish, Early-life Stage Toxicity Test
OECD 211 Daphnia magna Reproduction Test
OECD 233 Sediment-Water Chironomid Life-Cycle Toxicity Test Using Spiked Water or Spiked Sediment
OECD 221 Lemna sp. Growth Inhibition Test
OECD 218 Chironomid Toxicity Test Using Spiked Sediment
OECD 219 Chironomid Toxicity Test Using Spiked Water
OECD 239 Water-Sediment Myriophyllum Spicatum Toxicity Test
OECD 305 Bioconcentration: Flow-through Fish Test
Download available Fish Studies here
Endocrine Disruptors are chemicals that interfere with human and animal hormone systems, and are capable of altering hormone balance and embryo development. Find out how we can help with relevant studies.
Resources - Study Factsheets
Chironomid Acute Immobilisation Test
This test is designed to determine the acute effects of the test material on Chironomid larvae.
Bioaccumulation in Fish Test
This test is designed to assess the bioconcentration potential of substances in fish, following aqueous (standard and minimised tests) or dietary exposure, under flow through conditions.
Daphnia Acute Immobilisation Test
This test is designed to determine the effects of the test material on Daphnia magna.
Daphnia Magna Reproduction Test
This test is carried out to determine the effect of a chemical on the reproductive output of Daphnia magna.
Fish Acute Toxicity Test
This test is designed to determine the effects of the test material on fish. Fish species typically tested include rainbow trout, fathead minnow and zebra fish.
Fish Early Life Stage Toxicity Test
This test is designed to determine the effects of the test material on the early life stages of fish.
Freshwater Algal and Cyanbacteria Growth Inhibition Test
This test is designed to determine the effects of the test material on green algae, diatoms and cyanobacteria.
Sediment Water Chironomid Toxicity using Spiked Sediment Test
This test is designed to determine the long-term effectsof the test material on the freshwater dipteran Chironomus sp., in a spiked sediment system.
Sediment Water Chironomid Toxicity Test
This test is designed to determine the long-term effects ofthe test material on the freshwater dipteran Chironomus sp.,in a spiked water system.
Water-Sediment Myriophyllum spicatum Toxicity Test
This test is designed to determine the effects of the testmaterial on the growth of Myriophyllum spicatum plants.
More detail below regarding the available tests:
OECD 201, OECD 202, OECD 203 and OECD 235
Effects on Aquatic Organisms
For the protection of the aquatic environment, it is important that testing assesses each of the trophic levels; primary producers (photosynthetic organisms), primary consumers (herbivores) and secondary consumers (predatory organisms). For the primary producers, tests are performed that provide the Effective Concentration test statistics (EC10, EC20, EC50) and corresponding No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (OECD 201). Where herbicidal activity is exhibited and a second species is required, the same endpoints are provided for the diatom Navicula pelliculosa. Where anti-microbial activity is known, a cyanobacterial species such as Anabaena flos-aquae can be used.
For the protection of primary consumers, tests are performed that provide the 24 and 48 hour median Effective Concentration (EC50), and where possible the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for the cladoceran Daphnia magna (OECD 202). Where an insecticidal mode of action is known or insecticidal activity is exhibited and a second species is required the same endpoints are provided for the dipteran Chironomus riparius (OECD 235). For the protection of secondary consumers, yet in order to minimise fish testing, a threshold approach is taken and a limit test performed wherever possible, with Oncorhynchus mykiss (OECD 203).
OECD 210, OECD 211, OECD 218, OECD 219, OECD 233 and OECD 305
Long-term and Chronic Effects
Where exposure of surface water is both likely and long-lasting due to the fate and stability of compounds, it is important that longer term chronic assessments are made for the relevant trophic levels. For the protection of primary consumers, tests are performed that provide the Effective Concentration test statistics (EC10, EC20) and corresponding No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for reproduction in the cladoceran Daphnia magna (OECD 211). Where insect growth regulation is known or accumulation in aquatic sediment is indicated, the same endpoints or provided for development of the dipteran Chironomus riparius (OECD 218/219 or OECD 233).
For the protection of secondary consumers (fish), tests are performed that provide the Effective Concentration test statistics (EC10, EC20) and corresponding No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for the Early Life Stage (OECD 210). Additionally, where bioconcentration is indicated, then relevant BCF and uptake/depuration rate constants are provided (OECD 305).
OECD 221, OECD 238 and OECD 239
Effects on Aquatic Macrophytes
Primary producers are considered sufficiently protected by the OECD 201 test, unless herbicidal activity or plant growth regulation is known, then tests are performed that provide the Effective Concentration test statistics (EC10, EC20, EC50) and corresponding No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) for the macrophyte Lemna minor (OECD 221). Additionally, if there are clear indications of effects on dicotyledons or monocotyledons, the same endpoints are provided for Myriophyllum spicatum (OECD 238/239) or Glyceria maxima respectively.
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Page last updated on: 20th January 2020