Environmental Toxicity Testing
 Effluent Biomonitoring
PBS&J provides a full range of acute and shortterm chronic whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests with marine and freshwater organisms. As part of its commitment to client service, PBS&J offers door-to-door sample handling and transport (including sample collection, where needed), custom reporting, and computer-based information management (IM) tools for tracking of permit requirements to assure compliance with testing schedules.
Discharges that fail to meet permit limits may be required to conduct a toxicity reduction evaluation (TRE). A TRE consists of a three-phased testing program to characterize and identify the causative toxicants (toxicity identification evaluation). PBS&J’s experienced toxicologists, chemists, and environmental engineers investigate and identify the causes and sources of effluent toxicity and provide cost-effective solutions for compliance with permit requirements.
 Sediment Toxicity Characterization
PBS&J provides sediment testing services for both marine and freshwater environments. Programs support dredged material testing for open-water or confined disposal sites conducted in accordance with USEPA, Army Corps of Engineers, or regional guidelines.
Services provided by PBS&J include:
- Sampling and analysis plans
- Sediment and water sampling and analysis
- Toxicity testing by “Green Book” or other appropriate protocols
- Bioaccumulation assessments
- Evaluation of disposal options
Product Toxicity Testing
PBS&J offers a broad range of toxicity testing services for evaluation of chemicals and product mixtures used in the environment, particularly drilling fluids and oil-field chemicals, lubricants, and detergents. PBS&J staff can develop novel sample preparation and/or testing procedures to accommodate unique test material properties.
Test Organism Cultures
For the production of test organisms, PBS&J maintains an extensive culture facility and dedicated full-time culture biologists. Species available at the PBS&J laboratory include:
- Fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas)
- Inland silverside (Menidia beryllina)
- Sheepshead minnow ( Cyprinodon variegatus)
- Mysid ( Mysidopsis bahia)
- Waterfleas ( Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia pulexand Daphnia magna)
- Freshwater amphipod ( Hyalella azteca)
- Dipteran ( Chironomus tentans)
PBS&J Environmental Toxicology Laboratory
PBS&J provides a broad range of environmental toxicology services. With ongoing operations since 1978, the firm has modern laboratory facilities in Houston, Texas.
 PBS&J’s senior staff bring more than 100 years’ cumulative experience to management and technical evaluation of work conducted for PBS&J clients. The firm’s broad spectrum of testing services encompasses whole effluent toxicity biomonitoring, sediment toxicity characterization, and product toxicity tests.
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