Our expert biologists specialise in identifying and counting marine and estuarine phytoplankton, using methods accredited by UKAS.
Our dedicated team is trained to the highest standards of taxonomic and ecological expertise and offers a competitive service with quick turnaround of results.
From analysing a single sample to ongoing monthly monitoring regimes, we provide routine and one-off monitoring of phytoplankton to support projects of any scale.
Very few other organisations are accredited by UKAS for these high-quality biological analyses and we strongly believe in raising standards to support environmental monitoring and regulation.
Our clients include the Environment Agency, SEPA, Natural Resources Wales and other regulators, local authorities, water companies, owners of private lakes and outdoor event organisers.
The APEM team routinely analyse samples from coastal and transitional waters all around England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Jersey, as part of monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). We have considerable experience in the use of the PUGWASH assessment tool, which is used to calculate EQR and confidence of class for the WFD phytoplankton tool.
APEM’s work has a global reach: we analyse marine phytoplankton samples from all over the world, identifying temperate and tropical species, and our experienced phytoplankton specialists regularly take part in external international quality assurance schemes to ensure continued high standards.
APEM frequently assist in assessing blooms of nuisance or harmful species, advising not only on the species present but also the potential impacts and risks posed and whether further action should be taken. Our specialists also provide their expertise during ecological impact assessments.
Phytoplankton communities are the building blocks of aquatic ecosystems and quickly respond to human impacts.
The Water Framework Directive requires assessment of the phytoplankton quality element in coastal and transitional waters. As phytoplankton are short lived and obtain nutrients from the water, they are an ideal indicator of changing conditions and for assessing pollution in order to help protect and conserve the marine environment.
Phytoplankton are not just used as markers, however. Some marine phytoplankton have the potential to cause serious effects in aquatic ecosystems. Whilst some species produce toxins directly, others may cause problems including clogging the gills of fish and invertebrates, smothering submerged vegetation, and deoxygenation and discolouration of water.
The team at APEM would be happy to answer any questions you have about marine phytoplankton analysis. Please use the form below to get in touch.
