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 accredited 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 of management systems.

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.

 

ILAC-MRA DANAK Logo

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.

Accredited tests according to ISO 17025

Freshwater ecotoxicological testing

Algae:
  • Growth inhibition test (Raphidocelis subcapitata): OECD 201 / ISO 8692
 
 Crustacean:
  • Acute toxicity test (Daphnia magna): OECD 202 / ISO 6341
  • Reproduction test (Daphnia magna): OECD 211 / ISO 10706
  • Chronic toxicity test (Ceriodaphnia dubia): ISO 20665
 
 Fish:
  • Acute toxicity test: OECD 203 / ISO 7346. Zebrafish (Danio rerio); Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
  • Embryo Toxicity (FET) test: OECD 236 Zebrafish (Danio rerio); Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
  • Juvenile growth test: OECD 215 Zebrafish (Danio rerio); Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
  • Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-fry Stages, OECD 212, Zebrafish (Danio rerio); Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
  • Early life stage toxicity test: OECD 210 Zebrafish (Danio rerio); Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
 
Endocrine effects on fish (Zebrafish (Danio rerio); Medaka (Oryzias latipes)):
  • Fish Short-Term Reproduction Test: OECD 229
  • Fish Screening Assay: OECD 230
  • Fish Sexual Development Test: OECD 234

Marine ecotoxicological testing

Microorganisms:
  • Microtox toxicity test with Vibrio fischeri (both sediment and aquatic samples)
 
Algae:
  • Growth inhibition test (Skeletonema sp.): ISO 10253
 
Crustacean:
  • Acute toxicity test (Acartia tonsa): ISO 14669
  • Early life stage toxicity test (Acartia tonsa): ISO 16778
 
Fish:
  • Fish, Embryo Toxicity (FET) test: OECD 236
  • Fish, Acute toxicity test: OECD 203 / ISO 7346 / OSPAR 2006
  • Fish, Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-fry Stages: OECD 212
  • Fish, Early-life Stage Toxicity Test, OECD 210
 
Bivalves:
  • Embryo-larval development test with Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas), ISO 17244
Bioassays relevant for contaminated sediments, dredging materials in ports

 

Extraction of porewater from the sediments e.g., according to ‘Risk assessment of contaminated sediments’ Norwegian Environment Agency Guidance Note M-1132; 2018.

Amphipod:
  • Sediment-reworker, acute toxicity, Corophium sp., OSPAR 2006/ ISO 16712
 
Microorganisms:
  • Microtox Solid phase toxicity with Vibrio fischeri, ISO 11348
 
Algae:
  • Alga growth inhibition test (Skeletonema sp.), ISO 10253
 
Crustacean:
  • Acute lethal toxicity to marine copepods (Acartia tonsa), ISO 14669Early life stage test with Acartia tonsa, ISO 16778
 
Fish:
  • Fish, Short-term Toxicity Test on Embryo and Sac-fry Stages, OECD 212
Produced water

OSPAR requires three marine species to be used for bioassays to test the whole effluent toxicity of produced water. At DHI we use the following standard tests:

Microorganisms
  • Microtox (Vibrio fisheri): ISO 11348
 
Algae
  • Algae (Skeletonema sp.): ISO 10253
 
Crustacean
  • Crustacean (Acartia tonsa): ISO 14669
Biodegradability tests
  • Ready biodegradability – Closed bottle test: OECD 301D / ISO 10707
  • Ready biodegradability – Manometric respirometry test: OECD 301F
  • Biodegradability in seawater: OECD 306
  • Simulation tests to assess the biodegradability of chemicals discharged in wastewater: OECD 314
How does it work?
You are welcome to contact us directly for an initial discussion of an ecotoxicological test program or a tailor-made design of the studies.

Key Features

Specialized in ecotoxicological tests with marine species

Experience in testing chemicals for potential endocrine disrupting properties using fish

Extensive experience with whole effluent toxicity tests of mixed effluents including discharged ballast water and produced water

Fate modelling utilized in environmental risk assessment to estimate Predicted Environmental Concentrations (PEC)

Order your ecotoxicological test today at our Environmental Laboratory

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