2. SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE
GARL’S DISCIPLINES
Toxicity Studies
GARL implements toxicity tests to
measure and predict the effect of
materials discharged into the aquatic
and terrestrial environment. These
tests are used to evaluate the effect of
toxic substances by using living
organisms to measure environmental
quality. Single-species toxicity tests, in
conjunction with chemical and
ecological measurements, create a
holistic approach for effective resource
management. All toxicity tests are
conducted in environment controlled
rooms using standard techniques.
Analytical Studies
We offer analyses that make provision
for comprehensive evaluations of
water and sediment quality using
standardised international
methodologies. Our scientists conduct
accredited analyses both in-house and
in conjuction with other laboratories
in order to offer clients the full suite of
available tests. We have extensive
experience in mine water analyses, as
well as kinetic and static geochemical
testing with both water and solid
samples.
Our services span many sectors including mining, oil and gas,
manufacturing, waste and water.
Soil Studies
The data generated by the soil
characterisation procedures enable
consultants to determine the physical
properties of a soil sample. This
information is integral for the
interpretation of results as well as
management decisions. The test
procedures can be tailored to meet
individual customer specifications.
In South Africa, the water quality status of our rivers is under
increasing pressure due to factors such as industries, growing
urbanisation, acid mine drainage and agricultural runoff.
The resource regulators require tools that will enable them to
assist in the management of discharges.
At Golder Associates we assist our clients in finding sustainable
solutions to the challenges society faces today, including extraction
of finite resources, energy and water supply and management,
waste management, urbanisation and climate change. One of our
offerings is a fully equipped laboratory which is SANAS 17025
accredited (T0384), demonstrating our organisation’s acceptance of
international quality standards in assessing and monitoring
hazardous substances released into the environment. The Golder
Associates Research Laboratory (GARL) is able to perform client
specific analysis using Good Laboratory Practices.
3. INTEGRATED APPROACH
In the laboratory, our scientists
establish the effect of contamination
in the environment, which can then be
extrapolated back to possible causes.
In working together with our
organisation’s other services teams, we
assist our clients in creating an
integrated scientific approach towards
objectives such as site selection, risk
assessment, treatment processing,
monitoring programmes and project
management.
Ecology and biomonitoring
Our GARL scientists work with the
ecology division to compare in-field
biomonitoring results with laboratory
assays. The biomonitoring team
collects organisms in the environment
where an industry operates. GARL
then conducts tests in order to
measure the effect of the samples.
These results are used to determine if
paralles exist between the in-field
conditions and the laboratory
exposures. If the correlation is there,
the effects on the environment are
most probably caused by water-related
contamination.
SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS
„„ Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET)
assessments
„„ Toxicological interpretation and
report writing
„„ Application of the Direct
Estimation of Ecological Effect
Potential (DEEEP)
„„ Product testing
„„ Terrestrial ecotoxicity
(phytotoxicity)
„„ Sediment toxicity testing
„„ Compliance monitoring
„„ Water quality monitoring
„„ Evaluation of treatment processes
„„ Human health impact and risk
assessment
„„ Baseline assessment studies
„„ Characterisation of waste water,
contaminated soils and sediments
„„ Acid mine drainage studies
*SANAS 17025 Accredited analysis
Groundwater and geochemistry
Golder’s groundwater and
geochemistry division deals with
hydrogeological exploration,
groundwater assessments and aquifer
development and the overall
management and protection of
groundwater resources. Results from
the GARL tests assist clients in
detecting groundwater, as well as
sediment, contamination from
activities such as mining. These results
are used in predictive modelling of
infrastructure, such as mine waste and
tailings, which assists in the risk
management of operations.
Rehabilitation and closure
GARL results assist clients in the
management of rehabilitation and
closure plans. Laboratory results are
incorporated in reports compiled for
legislative compliance, as it shows
contaminated land assessments, as
well as the corrective and remedial
outcomes.
RANGE OF ANALYSIS
„„ Vibrio fischeri bacterial
bioluminescence inhibition test (EN
ISO)*
„„ Selenastrum capricornutum algal
growth inhibition test (OECD)*
„„ Daphnia pulex acute toxicity test
(USEPA)*
„„ Poecilia reticulata acute toxicity
test (USEPA)*
„„ Danio rerio acute toxicity test
(USEPA)*
„„ Phytotoxicity (effect of
contaminants on plant seed
germination)*
„„ Heterocypris incongruens
(Ostracod) “Direct contact” Toxicity
Test for Freshwater Sediments
„„ Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
analysis*
„„ pH and Electrical Conductivity*
„„ Humidity cells (ASTM-05744-96)
„„ Spectroquant analysis (Nitrite,
Nitrate, Ammonia,
Orthophosphate)
„„ Spectroquant analysis (Chloride,
Fluoride, Sulphate, Sulphides, Iron,
Manganese, Aluminium)
„„ Acidity and Alkalinity
„„ Redox
„„ Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
„„ Acid Base Accounting (ABA)
„„ Chlorophyll-a analysis
„„ Soil pH (H2
0 and KCl)
„„ Soil moisture content
„„ Swell index
„„ Moisture retention curves
„„ Particle size distribution
4. mail@golder.co.za
www.golder.com
Africa +27 11 254 4800
Asia +86 21 6258 5522
Australasia +61 3 8862 3500
Europe +44 1628 851851
North America +1 800 275 3281
South America +56 2 2616 2000
Johannesburg +27 11 254 4800
Bloemfontein +27 51 4441918
Cape Town +27 21 912 1060
Durban +27 31 717 2790
Florida +27 11 672 0666
Pretoria +27 12 364 4000
Rustenburg +27 14 597 0442
Botswana +267 318 8595
Ghana +233 302 978 819
Mozambique +258 21 301 292
Zambia +260 968 301 804
DRC +24 381 904 3399
Engineering Earth’s Development, Preserving Earth’s Integrity.
just ask golder
make your business decisions on a solid foundation.
choose a company with the technical experience and commitment
to service excellence and sustainability that you need to be successful.
Golder Associates Research Laboratory (Pty) Ltd
25 Main Avenue, Cnr Die Ou Pad, Florida, 1709
Tel +27 11 672 0666
