Bioassay or biological assay is a toxicity testing of effluents (industrial/municipal wastewater) conducted under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to determine the toxic effects of effluents on living organisms. Bioassays can be either qualitative or quantitative toxicity tests.

Qualitative bioassay: assess toxicity through observation of factors that cannot be measured such as abnormal development and behavioral changes.

Quantitative bioassays: assess toxicity by measuring parameters including growth rate, mortality and reproduction.

In our laboratory at Tritest, Inc., we analyze the effects of industrial/municipal effluents on different test species in order to monitor the pollutants in our waterways. Test species for the bioassays include Ceriodaphnia dubia (zooplankton), Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow, fish) and Mysidopsis bahia (mysid shrimp) for which mortality and reproduction are assessed.

Ceriodaphnia dubia

Explanation of Ceriodaphnia dubia test

Fathead Minnow

Explanation of Fathead Minnow test

Low Level Mercury Testing

Explanation of Low Level Mercury Testing

Synthetic Organic Compounds

Explanation of Synthetic Organic Compound test

Total Organic Compounds

Explanation of Total Organic Compounds test

Volatile Organic Compounds

Explanation of Volatile Organic Compounds test

Total Trihelo Methanes

Explanation of Total Trihalomethanes test

Halo Acetic Acids

Explanation of Halo Acetic Acids test

Trihelo Methane Formation Potential

Explanation of Trihalomethane Formation Potential tests

Chain of Custody top

Explanation of Chain of Custody

Chain of Custody

Tritest, Inc

Laboratory Solutions for drinking water, wastewater, and soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our business.