Ecotoxicology Division - Case Studies...

Recently Completed Projects

GEOTECH provides ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry services to a range of clients with a rapid turnaround time and high approval rating. GEOTECH confer with the client throughout all stages of the environmental quality assessment process to ensure project objectives are met to the highest standard of scientific rigour.


Recent projects undertaken by GEOTECH include:

Perth Seawater Desalination Plant (PSDP)

GEOTECH undertook both pre-commissioning and post-commissioning toxicity testing for a processed brine to be discharged into the marine environment from the PSDP. A full suite of Western Australian marine species (including bacteria, microalgae, macroalgae, molluscs, crustaceans and fish) were used to calculate a species protection trigger value, derive a safe dilution factor and provide ongoing monitoring of the discharge. A full interpretive report with recommendations was presented to the Water Corporation on time and within budget. The desalination study was the first to be made publicly available in Australia and is frequently used as a model for interstate desalination risk assessments.


Acid Sulphate Soil Toxicity Assessment

The potential for adverse biological effects from acid sulphate soil run-off was assessed by GEOTECH for the Department of Environment and Conservation. The toxicity from the acidic run-off entering the Swan River was assessed using local estuarine test species. The influence of low pH on metal speciation and bioavailability was also related to toxicity. Toxicity tests with bacteria, crustaceans and fish successfully characterised the environmental risk and recommendations were made within a week of completing the test program.


Kwinana Water Recycling Plant

A suite of bioassays (including bacteria, microalgae, crustaceans and fish) were used to assess the toxicity of a highly treated waste water and industrial effluent being discharged from the Kwinana Water Recycling Plant. GEOTECH successfully determined the safe dilution target for effective environmental protection and management. The report was promptly delivered within two weeks of completing the test program.


Salt Mine Discharge

The potential for adverse ecological effects from a salt mine waste to be discharged into a marine environment was assessed by GEOTECH’s Ecotoxicology Division. Commissioned by a Perth based environmental consultancy, results from the robust acute and chronic toxicity testing program (consisting of bacteria, microalgae, crustaceans and fish) were modelled with water quality data and the potential ecological impact from discharging the salt waste into the receiving ecosystem was managed.