Biota analysis for metals and organic compounds
ALS Scandinavia offers analysis of biota (plants and animals) for environmental contaminants. We offer a wide range of metal analyses and testing of organic contaminants. Additionally, ALS provides sample preparation that is specialized for the sample type at hand. Our qualified personnel can also perform dissection of fish or shellfish for analysis of liver or muscle samples. Heads and gills can be used for age determination.
Analytical portfolio
ALS Scandinavia has a wide range of analytical solutions for contaminants in biota, both for metals and organic contaminants. We can for example offer analysis of the prioritized compounds for biota according to the water framework directive 2013/39/EU. In addition to our analytical packages presented on our webpage, we are able to offer several other analyses of biota such as musk substances, bisphenol A, nonyl- and octylphenol and up to about 70 metals or elements. Please contact us if you would like to analyze substances that are not listed on our webpage.
A selection of analytical packages offered
| Analysis | Analytical package |
| Arsenic speciation | OB-19d Arsenic speciation in food and biota |
| Brominated flame retardants | OB-25a Brominated flame retardants in biota |
| Brominated flame retardants incl TBBP-A | OB-25a Brominated flame retardants incl TBBP-A in biota |
| Dioxins, furans | OB-22 Dioxins and furans in biota |
| Coplanar and indicator PCB | OB-2b Coplanar and indicator PCB |
| Fat content in fish | Fat in fish |
| Phthalates | OB-4a Phthalates in biota |
| Chlorobenzenes | OB-8 Chlorobenzenes in biota |
| Chlorinated pesticides | OB-3a Chlorinated pesticides in biota |
| Chloroparaffins | OB-32 Chloroparaffins in biota |
| Mercury in fish muscle | Mercury in fish muscle |
| Metals |
M-4 Metals in biota S01 Screening of elements |
| Methyl mercury | OB-19e Methyl mercury in biota |
| Organophosphates | OB-25c Organophosphates (flame retardants, plasticizers) in biota |
| PAH | OB-1 PAH in biota |
| PCB7 | OB-2a PCB in biota |
| Perfluorinated compounds | OB-34a Perfluorinated compounds in biota |
| PFOS and PFOA | OB-34b PFOS and PFOA in biota |
| Selenium speciation | OB-19f Selenium speciation |
| Organotin compounds | OB-19a Organotin compounds in biota |
Why analyze biota?
Analyses of biota, such as fish, mussels, clams, bird eggs and moss, can be useful to examine the concentration of contaminants that are accumulated in plants and animals in a certain region. By performing annual sampling, one can follow how the concentrations of metals and organic contaminants vary over time in the region or between regions. Certain contaminants are more easily accumulated than others and by analyzing these substances, trends and conditions in the environment can be monitored.
Analysis of fish from a certain region can be used to examine the presence of metals and organic substances in the water environment and to decide to what extent the contaminants are accumulated in the fish.
Analysis of heavy metals in moss can indicate the concentration of metals from rainfall and air, this since the uptake of metals exclusively comes from such sources and not from the ground.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information about biota analysis. If you require dissection or an analysis that is not listed on our webpage, you are more than welcome to discuss this with us.
Client service Stockholm (organic compounds)
Phone: +46 (0)8 5277 5200
E-mail: info.ta@alsglobal.com
Client service Luleå (metal analyses)
Phone: +46 (0)920 28 99 00
E-mail: info.lu@alsglobal.com