Aqua Science - Water toxicity testing
Aqua Science water toxicity testing system for rapid analysis of samples from various water sources
Laboratory, portable and fixed toxicity analysers for fresh water, marine and wastewater monitoring
Water Toxicity Testing
Aqua Science’s water toxicity testing system is trusted across Australia for its precision and reliability. We ensure our clients uninterrupted access to this advanced measurement technology and all necessary acute testing reagents.
Our water toxicity testing solution equips Environmental Protection Agencies, universities, and independent laboratories with a proven, cost-effective tool to protect drinking water quality. With Aqua Science systems, you achieve seamless regulatory compliance and robust support for research and development initiatives.
Our testing platform uses a proprietary strain of bioluminescent marine bacteria, Aliivibrio fischeri, to evaluate acute toxicity. By exposing this marine organism to diluted water samples, we can simulate effects on aquatic life. Extensive comparative studies validate its reliability and effectiveness.
The Aqua Science system acts as a biological early warning sensor, sensitive to more than 2,700 simple and complex chemicals. This capability is crucial for protecting water supplies and sources from both natural and deliberate contamination.
Results from our testing correlate strongly with other established toxicity assays, such as water flea or fish bioassays, facilitating regulatory compliance. Hundreds of independent scientific publications document its performance as an efficient screening tool.
Rapid, User‑Friendly Analysis
Our system delivers results in as little as 15 minutes after initial sample preparation. An intuitive touchscreen interface guides users through each testing step, while clearly numbered reagent wells ensure accurate operation.
Aqua Science water toxicity testing is suitable for a wide range of environments::
- Drinking Water
- Rivers
- Streams
- Estuary
- Lakes
- Ocean and Sea Water
- Marine environments
- Stormwater
- Industrial discharges
- Soils and sediments
Next‑Generation Aqua Science Analyzers
The latest Aqua Science analyzer, the BioLight Toxy, builds on our original platform. The BioLight Toxy offers enhanced sensitivity with a fully dynamic photomultiplier and includes an automatic color correction feature to adjust for sample turbidity.
Sample and reagent wells are temperature‑controlled for optimal precision and consistency. Low sample volume requirements reduce the cost per test, and the entire system is manufactured under ISO 13485 standards for full traceability.
Typical applications for the system
- Environmental Protection agency monitoring
- University studies
- Whole effluent toxicity WET test
- Monitoring of accidental or deliberate contamination
- Warning system providing sufficient time to take action
- Rapid screening to check for conformity to regulatory standards
- Checking water sources
- Checking Process water
- Water distribution system checks in wastewater treatment
- Pretreatment checking of incoming contamination
- Minimisation of process upsets
- Environmental monitoring of sensitive environments
- River, Stream and estuary monitoring
- Marine environmental testing
- Wetland monitoring
- Pre and post construction monitoring of water sources
- Offshore and onshore drilling fluids and drilling mud
- Industrial wastewater and effluents
- Medical and pharmaceutical product testing
- Food packaging material testing
- Personal care product analysis
- Sediments
- Stormwater runoff
- Solid phase material testing
- Process water for food and beverage
Biolight Toxy – Toxicity Testing equipment
The BioLight Toxy is a next-generation luminometer that uses the bioluminescent marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri to deliver rapid, sensitive acute toxicity results. Designed for both field portability and bench-top performance, it generates actionable data in as little as 20 minutes, making it ideal for on-site monitoring of drinking, source, and wastewater samples. Compatible with Aqua Science’s BioLight reagents and consumables, the Toxy features an intuitive interface, robust compact design, and flexible sample handling for environmental laboratories, regulatory agencies, and field-based testing teams
Reagent BioLight Multi Test
The BioLight Reagent by Aqua Science is available in two variants: Single test (ideal for field applications) and Multi Test (designed for lab procedures). This reagent can detect up to 3,600 contaminants at once.
- Compatible with the Microtox® Test system
Reconstitution Solution 50ml
The BioLight Recon Solution is crafted from ultra-pure water, specifically formulated to reconstitute the reagent effectively. It boasts a shelf life of 3 years from its production date and doesn’t necessitate cold storage
Typical toxicity testing questions answered by our experts
How is water toxicity testing done?
Our testing platform employs a proprietary strain of bioluminescent marine bacteria, Aliivibrio fischeri, to evaluate acute toxicity. Traditionally, assays rely on organisms like water fleas or small fish that require dedicated breeding and maintenance, limiting scalability. In contrast, the marine bacteria arrive in freeze-dried vials and are simply reconstituted before use, drastically simplifying logistics and enabling rapid, large-scale testing while accurately simulating impacts on aquatic life.
How can I measure the toxic chemicals in water?
There are different methods for testing the chemicals in water. A simple method is a test strip to simply check the PH level of the water. These change colour according to PH. If determination of the toxicity of the water is needed then a test using a biological sample such as water fleas or fish, or luminescent bacteria like the Aqua Science test system.
What is toxicity testing used for?
A toxicity test is normally used to check the water quality and if its toxicity will have any effect on the marine life in that environment. Toxicity testing is also used to check water quality for human consumption as well as effluent and wastewater streams to check for water quality incidents.
What are the methods for measuring acute toxicity in water?
Full details of the various testing methods can usually be found from your local EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Standard methods may vary from country to country. There are different bio organisms used depending on the conditions from freshwater to estuarine and marine environments. Test species will vary from water fleas, to various fish species to marine bacteria and cultures. These can either be wild caught or bred in captivity. Depending on the organism type there are various documented test methodologies. There is a correlation with most of the common tests to the Aqua Science testing system and we have a large bibliography of case studies and papers to draw on. If you require a comparison please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
