NCIMB

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has approved Aberdeen-based microbiology and chemical analysis company NCIMB’s toxicity tests as the preferred method of offshore discharge testing to reduce marine environment risk.

DECC recommended the MARA and LumiMARA bioassays as part of the UK’s implementation of a risk based approach (RBA) to testing of produced water discharges from offshore installations.

Said to include an array of carefully selected microorganisms, the bioassays have been recommended in preference to single species microbial testing.

As part of a wider DECC coordinated study, the microorganisms providing a rapid analysis of produced water toxicity have been trialled on samples from 15 offshore installations, in a bid to assess the role of whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing.

The recommendation for an RBA is a combination of examination of the exposure that results from produced water discharge and the sensitivity of the environment.

"Toxicity testing is said to be a new requirement for companies, which have already been undertaking chemical analysis as part of the biannual testing programme."

OSPAR, which manages international cooperation on the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic, adopted the recommendation in 2012, and its full implementation is expected by 31 December 2018.

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Toxicity testing is said to be a new requirement for companies, which have already been undertaking chemical analysis as part of the biannual testing programme.

NCIMB CEO Dr Carol Phillips said: "All substances present in produced water will contribute to the total environmental risk and WET testing measures not only the effects of substances known to be present but also the impact of unknown substances and the combined effects of all components.

"Using MARA or LumiMARA as an alternative to toxicity testing with a single species of bacteria is a very simple and feasible means of increasing the breadth and genetic diversity of toxicity testing, and may give more robust results."


Image: Terry Dando from NCIMB analysing MARA results. Photo: courtesy of BIG Partnership Group Limited.

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