APEM Group welcome Marine Technical Specialist Robyn Love to the BioLabs and Surveys team
Leading environmental consultancy APEM Group are delighted to welcome Robyn Love, Marine Technical Specialist, to the Marine BioLabs and Surveys...
The APEM Group BioLabs team recently recorded the rare algae Polyedriopsis spinulosa, as part of a project providing freshwater phytoplankton biovolume analysis to support condition assessment of English freshwater lakes.
Key highlights:
- Rare algae Polyedriopsis spinulosa recorded by APEM Group BioLabs team
- Part of biovolume assessment of 300 lake phytoplankton samples
- Results are crucial for assessing water quality
Phytoplankton are single-celled microscopic organisms that live in freshwater and marine environments. Phytoplankton use photosynthesis to create energy, taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They play a vital part in the health of aquatic ecosystems, both as the base of the food chain and as an indicator of water quality. According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) phytoplankton produce around half of the Earth’s oxygen.
Staurodesmus chaetoceros
The specialist phytoplankton team at APEM Group are providing identification, enumeration and biovolume assessment of approximately 300 lake phytoplankton samples collected from lakes in England during 2024. The data and information gathered from this project will be used to provide an assessment of the overall condition and value of our still waters nationally.
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This is the most comprehensive approach to phytoplankton monitoring available, and these analyses are crucial for assessing water quality and detecting potential changes, such as nutrient pollution. The species highlighted is considered a rarely reported taxon and provides insight into the ecosystems within English freshwater lakes.”
APEM Group regularly provide phytoplankton and algae analysis for a diverse range of clients. These analyses are crucial for assessing water quality and detecting potential changes, such as nutrient pollution and blue-green algal blooms. Biovolume calculations provide a comprehensive understanding of the relative and dominant influences of phytoplankton within an ecosystem.
– Jeff Taylor, Phytoplankton BioLabs Technical Specialist, APEM Group
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The services the BioLabs team provide are highly specialised and the certified skills to carry out this work are in short supply. With experienced technical specialists in-house, the APEM Group BioLabs team can service large projects such as this, fulfilling data and reporting requirements within strict timeframes.
– Richard Bassett, Phytoplankton & Freshwater BioLabs Laboratory Manager, APEM Group
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Micractinium pusillum
The deeper insight provided by the BioLabs team also enables clients to identify key drivers of algal growth and assess whether notable taxa, such as toxic or problematic taxa, are dominating production in a waterbody. Such information supports informed decision-making for managing and improving water quality.
If you would like to speak to the BioLabs team contact us.
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