Aquatic Ecology Monitoring Services - Brochure

Assessing aquatic ecology status isessential to understand the response ofecological systems to water quality andquantity.OHES offers aquatic ecology surveys andinvestigations including aquatic macro-invertebrates (family and species level),macrophytes, diatoms andphytoplankton.Our expert staff are able to assesshabitats including rivers, lakes, ponds,canals, and tidal or marine environments.The Water Framework Directive (WFD)requires member states to protect, enhanceand restore, and prevent deterioration ofaquatic ecosystems.All water bodies need to achieve goodecological status or potential under theDirective by 2015.Source: Water Framework Directive 2000/60/E www.ohes.co.ukAquatic EcologySound Science, Practical Solutions Our ecology services are employed in a wide rangeof situations. We are regularly called out to performpost-pollution assessments on the aquaticenvironment, and we offer the experience andcapability to conduct detailed surveys formonitoring, environmental impact assessment, oras part of actions required under legislation such asthe Water Framework Directive (WFD).Our services include:Routine and investigative monitoringPost-pollution assessmentsSampling, analysis and interpretation ofmacro-invertebrate samples using BMWP andASPT scores for macro-invertebrates Prediction and classification of macroinvertebrate samples using RIVPACS and newRICT (developed for SNIFFER by CEH)Sampling, analysis and interpretation ofdiatom samples for Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)following DARES/DALESLow flow and drought impact monitoringusing LIFE (Lotic Index for Flow Evaluation)methodologyUpland and lowland river macrophyte surveysusing the Mean Trophic Rank (MTR)methodologyResearch and development projectsSpecialist data analysis and reportingLake phytoplankton surveysBlue-green algae monitoringLake and canal nutrient analysis usingChironomid Pupal Exuvial Technique (CPET)Please contact us if we can be of any further help.All the services we provide follow recommendedCodes of Practice and national guidance.Aquatic EcologyContact 0870 240 3329 www.ohes.co.ukCase study:Pollution of the River IrvineAs part of a major incident response and remediationproject conducted by OHES, our ecologists were called into conduct an extensive post-pollution assessment andrecovery monitoring programme.The loss of almost 250,000 litres of fuel oil into atributary of the River Irvine caused an immediate andsignificant ecological impact.Once the immediate impacts had been remediated, weconducted a series of surveys to investigate the longerterm impacts on the ecology of the affected streams.This involved fishery surveys in the affected reaches, andat selected control sites; aquatic macro-invertebratesampling and analysis and an assessment of thepotential impact on otter and water vole populations inthe vicinity. The survey programme is ongoing.1 The Courtyard, Denmark Street, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 2AZT : 0870 240 3329 F : 0118 977 2147 E : info@ohes.co.ukwww.ohes.co.uk