ECOSPHERE Analytics: Ecotoxicological expertise for sustainable water and environmental solutions
Ecotoxicology has been in the DNA of the ECOSPHERE Analytics team for over 30 years. We specialise in ecotoxicological research on wastewater, groundwater, drinking water, and chemical substances or mixtures. Our quality is rooted in deep academic expertise and is guaranteed by our ISO 17025 accreditation. Every report includes a personal explanation and interpretation, so our clients receive not just data, but true insight.
Situation before
The ecotoxicological challenges of industrial wastewater, Flemish surface waters, and the broader ecosystem are highly complex. While the measurements themselves are technically relatively straightforward, assessing the impact risk on receiving waters and identifying potential pollutants is a far greater challenge. For many companies and stakeholders, this leads to frustration, often caused by reports that are difficult to interpret by non-specialists. Companies facing potentially harmful effluents want to understand what’s going on and how they can remediate the issue. Current analytical methods and reporting practices often provide mainly numerical data, without sufficient context or a clear translation into practical solutions.
Technology/service
We go further where others stop. Through the smart collaboration between the ECOSPHERE research group, external partner ARCHE Consulting, and the BioWAVE research group, we combine unique expertise and technical capabilities that are unmatched in Flanders.
Our approach combines:
- In-depth ecotoxicological analyses via ECOSPHERE Analytics (ISO 17025 accredited)
- Thorough impact assessments by ARCHE Consulting
- Efficient optimisation of water treatment systems with BioWAVE
This way, we bring together measurement, risk assessment, and remediation under one roof. We ensure clear communication and provide detailed explanations with every report. We don’t deliver numbers without context — we strive for solutions. And if we can’t provide them ourselves, we’ll refer you to one of our (international) partners.
In addition to water-related applications, we are also active in other ecosystem niches, albeit outside of accreditation.
Partners we search for
We work interactively with industrial partners from various sectors on ecotoxicological challenges such as wastewater, soil contamination, and (air) emissions. Governmental and non-governmental stakeholders can also rely on us for support and advice.
About the researchers/research groups
ECOSPHERE Analytics is part of the ECOSPHERE research group at the University of Antwerp's Department of Biology, which investigates the ecological impact and (eco)toxicological mechanisms of pollutants and stressors such as microplastics, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals. The UAntwerp research group BioWAVE specialises in industrial water treatment systems. Arche Consulting is a private consultancy firm specialising in risk assessment and REACH. Each of these actors has over 25 years of experience in the field, and their collaboration spans just as long. Additionally, ARCHE Consulting is skilled in assessing the exposure potential and impact of local air emissions on human health, based on the Burden of Disease concept. This contributes to identifying pollutants that affect public health and evaluating opportunities for industry to improve air quality.
More information
University of Antwerp
Middelheimlaan 1
2020 Antwerp - Belgium
