Welcome to APEM Ltd
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APEM are a professional science-based environmental consultancy that operates at the highest level of scientific integrity and commitment. Since its establishment in 1987, it has been operating from the central location of Manchester, United Kingdom.
APEM work exclusively in the aquatic environment, providing an integrated approach to environmental investigations and management in both freshwater and marine habitats.
APEM's team of specialists are recognised experts in their individual fields. The team, supported by Biolabs, APEM's laboratory services in Manchester, operate throughout the UK providing cost-effective and comprehensive solutions to a wide range of aquatic environmental problems.
APEM have gained reputable credentials and specialist capabilities in support of a wide client base covering regulators (DEFRA, EA, EN, SEPA, CCW, SNH), blue chip companies (water & energy), industrial and power generation companies, conservation trusts, legal groups and private individuals. We are also BS EN ISO 9001:2000 accredited and Achilles UVDB verified.
APEM's reputation is based on satisfying our clients' needs with the highest quality of service designed to provide practically applied solutions. As a result, our independence, high standards and confidentiality are recognised hallmarks.
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APEM has more than 20 years' experience of the analysis of aquatic biological samples for bioassessment and environmental monitoring. With the advent of the EU Water Framework Directive and its accent on assessing ecological status it is crucial to be able to distinguish the taxonomic groups within a waterbody and there is a greater demand than ever for rigorous, quality controlled analysis of biological samples. However, the necessary identification skills are in increasingly short supply in the UK. APEM's reputation is based on the accuracy of its data and we have more IdQ E062 (Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Species) accredited taxonomists than any other laboratory in the UK. APEM are at the forefront of aquatic biological monitoring and bioassessment and are leading the way in providing the key requirements for aquatic biological analysis in the future:
- Quality Assurance - Expert and accredited biologists operate an internal Analytical Quality Control (AQC) system that exceeds the regulators' standards. We are one of few laboratories in the UK that can genuinely meet and exceed the requirements for AQC set by the regulators. We participate in the National Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) scheme and the UK diatom ring test. We are the only UK laboratory to display our externally audited performance on our website for all to see - we are proud of our performance and our adherence to quality in everything we do;
- Capacity - With over 16 full-time laboratory specialists in 2 large regional laboratories, our capacity is unrivalled anywhere in the UK to undertake the largest of contracts and provide the most reliable and quickest turnaround times available to meet tight deadlines;
- Health and safety - Our state-of-the-art laboratories were designed in consultation with the Environment Agency of England and Wales to meet all of the current heath and safety requirements for laboratory analysis and to future proof our substantial investment. We operate a strict safe systems at work policy throughout the company;
- Cost efficiency - We strive to provide the best option for outsourcing for cost efficiency, to help with peak workloads and to enable projects to be delivered on time and within budget.
APEM's expertise covers the identification of:
- Macroinvertebrates in freshwater and marine habitats;
- Diatoms;
- Phytoplankton;
- Zooplankton;
- Larval and juvenile fish in all freshwater and marine habitats.
- Aquatic plants.
Our experts regularly provide audits of other laboratories' work and verify identifications of specimens from sensitive and protected habitats. We provide a unique service that is specially designed to provide a complete package of laboratory analysis to support all of the monitoring requirements of the WFD and environmental assessments.
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In response to the growing success of our aerial photography capability, APEM have recently taken delivery of a state-of-the-art Vulcanair P68 Observer 2 twin-engined survey aircraft.
The Vulcanair P68 Observer 2 is a survey-specific aircraft designed for use with a range of remote sensing instruments including high-resolution digital cameras, imaging spectrometers and LiDAR. APEM’s new aircraft is equipped with modern avionics apparatus including a glass cockpit, autopilot and long-range fuel tanks allowing for work in remote locations. Coupled with our current Track-Air MIDAS image acquisition technology, we are now able to conduct aerial photography surveys in areas previously off-limits to single engined aeroplanes.
Through the acquisition of colour imagery at resolutions of up to 3cm, APEM can offer photographic data suitable for the monitoring and mapping of a range of marine and freshwater environments. Such airborne monitoring techniques are inherently cost-effective and facilitate the completion of comprehensive baseline surveys and habitat assessments.
By means of proprietary image processing algorithms, we are able to conduct detailed geomorphological analysis of river environments. Our bespoke software allows for the automated generation of fluvial particle size and bathymetry maps from high resolution aerial photography, and subsequent analysis of river habitat composition. This powerful tool permits us to conduct detailed quantitative river surveys without the requirement for intensive and costly fieldwork.
APEM has conducted image acquisition and analysis UK-wide for a number of diverse purposes and projects. Our previous clients have included regulatory bodies (eg. Environment Agency), utilities and blue-chip companies, engineering consultancies, developers, local authorities and the media.
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