Marine Benthic Ecology

Bubblesx2.png

  • Europe's largest dedicated aquatic biology laboratories - APEM BioLabs - offer unrivalled capacity, turnaround times, quality assurance & health & safety standards

  • UKAS accreditation (Lab 4441) covers marine benthic sample porcessing including identification 

  • Experienced marine biologists provide rapid & accurate identification of estuarine & marine macroinvertebrates to lowest taxonomic level, or as client requires

  • Participating member of National Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) scheme with consistently excellent results

  • Rigorous internal analytical quality control system & external quality control through NMBAQC scheme

  • Field staff experienced in sampling all marine habitats using standard & bespoke methods supporting clients' licensing requirements

  • High-level reporting, statistical analysis, modelling & survey design tailored to clients' exact requirements

  • Reference collection of specimens provided as standard

  • Analysis of biomass by wet weight blotting methods

 

 

What can we offer?

APEM's marine taxonomists are trained to the highest standard in benthic macrofaunal analysis. All sorting and identification is subject to rigorous in-house quality control. APEM is a member and industry representative of the NMBAQC Scheme, which aims to ensure high quality marine biological data collection throughout Europe. The scheme provides external AQC for industry and monitoring authority members. DTI, DEFRA and AFBI specify that laboratories working for the competent monitoring authorities eg. Environment Agency (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and industries such as North Sea Oil and Gas, Finfish Aquaculture and aggregate extraction companies must have NMBAQC-accredited analyses. 

APEM's internal quality control procedures follow NMBAQC guidelines for best practice. All batches of samples undergo AQC by a second analyst to ensure that our high standards are maintained. Our in-house archives of taxa and literature are extensive and up to date.

Marine Benthic 4.jpg

 

Why choose APEM?

APEM is a science-based consultancy working exclusively within the realm of Aquatic Science for over 20 years. We operate throughout Europe, providing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to the monitoring and management of aquatic ecosystems. Our scientists are recognised experts in their diverse and specialist fields. Our teams work to exacting standards and are committed to providing a professional, client-focused service. We operate to the highest levels of analytical quality control and health & safety standards. We have the capacity to undertake large projects and provide rapid turnaround times.

 

Who are our clients?

We work for a wide range of organisations including:

  • Environment Agency / SEPA

  • Private environmental consultancies 

  • Harbour authorities

  • Water & power generation companies

  • Renewable energy companies

  • Oil and gas companies

  • Construction & dredging companies

  • Fish farms 

  • Aggregate extraction companies

  • Local authorities

 

Key Projects

Severn Estuary

Crosby & Formby Shorelines

Tidal lagoon Monitoring

Offshore Benthic Invertebrate Survey

Suberites massa in Poole Harbour

New Mersey Crossing