AquaTech Testing & Environmental Laboratory
Ecotoxicological testing and risk assessment
DHI has more than 30 years of experience in risk analysis and hazard assessment in relation to the freshwater and marine aquatic environment

At DHI’s Environmental Laboratory, we have more than 30 years of experience in ecotoxicological services. We offer both laboratory testing and expert environmental consultancy to assess the ecological impact of substances and effluents in both freshwater and marine environments.

We conduct testing across a wide range of test items, including chemicals and chemical products, industrial and municipal wastewater (from manufacturing, mining, and sewage treatment), contaminated sediments, produced water from offshore oil and gas operations, and ballast water, assessed through whole effluent toxicity testing.

In addition to laboratory services, we deliver tailor-made solutions that integrate testing with risk assessment, fate and exposure modelling, and scientific literature reviews—supporting sustainability, regulatory compliance, and strategic project planning.

Whether you require a single test or a full-scale environmental impact assessment, our experienced team is ready to help.

Explore our services

We offer comprehensive freshwater toxicity and bioaccumulation testing. Our services support regulatory compliance, environmental risk assessments, and product safety evaluations. We provide reliable data on acute and chronic toxicity, as well as the potential for substances to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.

Toxicity tests
Algae, Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test (Raphidocelis subcapitata; Desmodesmus subspicatus)OECD 201/ISO 8692
Crustacean, Daphnia sp., Acute Immobilisation Test (Daphnia magna)OECD 202/ISO 6341
Crustacean, Daphnia magna Reproduction test OECD 211/ISO 10706
Crustacean, Chronic toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia ISO 20665
Fish, Acute Toxicity Test (e.g. Danio rerio; Oryzias latipes) OECD 203/ISO 7346
Fish, Early-life stage toxicity test (e.g. Danio rerio; Oryzias latipes) OECD 210
Fish, Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-Fry Stages (e.g. Danio rerio; Oryzias latipes) OECD 212
Fish, Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (e.g. Danio rerio) OECD 236
Fish, Juvenile Growth Test (e.g. Danio rerio) OECD 215
Fish, Endocrine effects, Short-Term Reproduction Assay (e.g. Danio rerio; Oryzias latipes) OECD 229
Fish, Endocrine effects, 21 day Fish Assay; Screening (e.g. Danio rerio; Oryzias latipes) OECD 230
Fish, Endocrine effects, Sexual Development Test (e.g. Danio rerio; Oryzias latipes)
OECD 234
Bioaccumulation tests
Bioaccumulation, Bioconcentration: Flow-through Fish Test (e.g. Danio rerio) OECD 305
Bioaccumulation, Hyalella Azteca Bioconcentration Test (HYBIT) OECD 321

We offer comprehensive marine toxicity and bioaccumulation testing. Our services support regulatory compliance, environmental risk assessments, and product safety evaluations. We provide reliable data on acute and chronic toxicity, as well as the potential for substances to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms.

Toxicity tests
Algae, Marine algal growth inhibition test (e.g. Skeletonema sp.; Phaeodactylum tricornutum) ISO 10253
Crustacean, Acute lethal toxicity to marine copepods (Acartia tonsa)ISO 14669
Crustacean, Calanoid copepod early-life stage test with Acartia tonsa ISO 16778
Fish, Acute Toxicity Test (e.g. Cyprinodon variegatus; Dicentrarchus labrax; Scophthalmus maximus) OECD 203/OSPAR 2006
Fish, Early-life stage toxicity test (e.g. Cyprinodon variegatus) OECD 210
Fish, Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-Fry Stages (e.g. Cyprinodon variegatus) OECD 212
Microorganisms, Inhibitory effect of water samples on the light emission of Vibrio fischeri (Luminescent bacteria test) ISO 11348-3
Sea Urchin, Short-term Methods for Estimating the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to Marine and Estuarine Organisms (Paracentrotus lividus) EPA Method 1008.0
Oyster, Determination of the toxicity of water samples on the embryo-larval development of Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and mussel, (Mytilus edulis or Mytilus galloprovincialis) ISO 17244
Amphipod, Sediment Bioassay using an Amphipod (Corophium sp.) OSPAR 2006/ISO 16712

To comply with OSPAR requirements, whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing of produced water must include bioassays using three marine species. We offer a complete testing package to assess the toxicity of produced water to support environmental risk assessments and discharge permits.

Toxicity tests
Algae, Marine algal growth inhibition test (e.g. Skeletonema sp.) ISO 10253
Crustacean, Acute lethal toxicity to marine copepods (Acartia tonsa)ISO 14669
Microorganisms, Inhibitory effect of water samples on the light emission of Vibrio fischeri (Luminescent bacteria test) ISO 11348-3

We offer standard ecotoxicological tests as well as specialized testing services for the assessment of contaminated sediments. For instance, we conduct ecotoxicological testing on contaminated sediment and aquatic exposure tests using porewater extract in accordance with guidelines such as the Norwegian Environment Agency Guidance Note M-1132 (2018) for risk assessment.

Toxicity tests
Amphipod, Sediment Bioassay using an Amphipod (Corophium sp.) OSPAR 2006/ISO 16712
Algae, Marine algal growth inhibition test (e.g. Skeletonema sp.) ISO 10253
Crustacean, Acute lethal toxicity to marine copepods (Acartia tonsa)ISO 14669
Crustacean, Calanoid copepod early-life stage test with Acartia tonsa ISO 16778
Fish, Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-Fry Stages (e.g. Cyprinodon variegatus) OECD 212
Microorganisms, Inhibitory effect of water samples on the light emission of Vibrio fischeri (Luminescent bacteria test) ISO 11348-3

We offer a range of biodegradability tests to evaluate the environmental persistence of chemicals in both freshwater and marine environments. These tests are essential for regulatory submissions, environmental risk assessments, and product development.

Biodegradability tests
Ready Biodegradability – Closed bottle test OECD 301D/ISO 10707
Ready Biodegradability – Manometric respirometry testOECD 301F
Biodegradability in Seawater OECD 306
Simulation tests to assess the biodegradability of chemicals discharged in wastewater OECD 314

Quality Certifications and Accreditation

Our laboratory is ISO 17025 accredited by DANAK (the Danish Accreditation Fund) and fully authorized to conduct studies in accordance with the OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). These certifications ensure our data meets the highest standards for regulatory acceptance, scientific validity, and international compliance.

ILAC-MRA DANAK Logo
Accredited tests according to ISO 17025

Key Features

Specialized in ecotoxicological tests with marine and freshwater species.

Tailor-made studies designed to meet your specific project scope and regulatory needs.

Extensive experience conducting whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests of complex mixtures including discharged ballast water, produced water, wastewater and other effluents.

Comprehensive testing services to evaluate the biodegradability of chemicals and products.

Order your ecotoxicological test today

Contact our DHI experts in ecotoxicological testing for more information:

Anja Kamper

aka@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9082

Amalie Thit Bruus Jensen

atbj@dhigroup.com
+45 4516 9229