Cambridge Environmental Assessments (CEA)

Cambridge Environmental Assessments, ADAS Boxworth, Battlegate Road Cambridgeshire, CB23 4NN, UK

Description of the infrastructure: Cambridge Environmental Assessments (CEA) as part of RSK ADAS Ltd is a multi- disciplinary research and consultancy group, providing higher tier risk assessment and novel experimental studies to commercial and Government organisations. RSK hold a long-established, 199 mesocosm, certified facility, with a strong reputation for testing on multiple and single species can be carried out under controlled conditions as well as a microscopy lab for taxonomic identification of organism samples.

performing studies to regulatory standards. Mesocosms include 99 flat bottomed and 100 unique sloped mesocosms which are designed to simulate edge of field environments. Our sloped mesocosms were installed in 2013, are 2.6 m long, 1 m wide and 0.7 m deep and are used for herbicide studies. The sloped mesocosms are designed to enable the incorporation of a wide variety of plant species, providing a habitat which mimics the plant community found in edge of field environments. Our flat bottomed mesocosms were installed in 2009, are 1.8 m long, 0.9 m wide and 0.8 m deep and are predominantly used in pesticide studies. RSK have a laboratory facility in which higher tier chronic testing on multiple and single species can be carried out under controlled conditions as well as a microscopy lab for taxonomic identification of organism samples.

Modality of access under AQUACOSM-plus: At least 240 person-days in total will be allocated to external users supported by an AQUACOSM-plus TA activity. A minimum of 4 visiting scientists over 60 days in M22-33 are welcome to join on-going experiments.

Services currently offered by the infrastructure: RSK specialises in the area of environmental toxicity, and works across a whole range of chemical substances, encompassing agrochemicals, biocides, veterinary and human pharmaceuticals, food additives, novel foods and general chemicals. We have significant experience working with both large and small chemical companies, with an excellent reputation in the use of mesocosm studies for regulatory submissions, and an in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements for chemical risk assessment. RSK hosts a dedicated higher tier aquatic ecotoxicology group, with proven expertise in designing and developing non-standard, tests for investigating the effects of chemicals in the aquatic environment. Other specialist areas of work includes the identification of freshwater phytoplankton, periphyton, macrophytes, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and emergent insects, as well as the statistical analysis of data generated to current guideline requirements.