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Biological test methods publications

Biological test methods are used in private, government, and academic laboratories across Canada to assess the effects of environmental toxicants on aquatic, sediment, and soil organisms. Some of these standardized biological test methods are required for industries (for example, mining, pulp and paper) to comply with Canadian wastewater regulations. Biological test methods are also used for chemical risk assessment (for example, Chemicals Management Plan) and ecological risk assessment.

Read more about biological test method development

Publications: Biological test methods and guidance documents are amended periodically through the publication of amendment sheets to be used in conjunction with existing methods, or through the publication of subsequent editions. This table provides links to the most recent edition of biological test methods and guidance documents. It lists each report title, publication date with amendments, and a reference number.

Contact us: If you require a method for which a link is not provided, please email your request to methods@ec.gc.ca.

Biological test methods and guidance documents

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Biological test methods and guidance documents
Reference Report title Publication date
RM/09 Biological Test Method: Acute Lethality Test Using Rainbow Trout
PDF version: RM/09

2007 & 1996 Amendments,
1990 First edition
RM/11

Biological Test Method: Acute Lethality Test Using Daphnia spp.
PDF version: RM/11

1996 Amendments,
1990 First edition
RM/13 Biological Test Method: Reference Method for Determining Acute Lethality of Effluents to Rainbow Trout
PDF version: RM/13

2016 & 2007 Amendments, 2000 Second edition
RM/14 Biological Test Method: Reference Method for Determining Acute Lethality of Effluents to Daphnia magna
PDF version: RM/14

2016 Amendments,
2000 Second edition
RM/21 Biological Test Method: Test of Reproduction and Survival Using the Cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia
PDF version: RM/21

2007
Second edition
RM/22 Biological Test Method: Test of Larval Growth and Survival Using Fathead Minnows
PDF version: RM/22

2011
Second edition
RM/25 Biological Test Method: Growth Inhibition Test Using a Freshwater Alga
PDF version: RM/25

2007
Second edition
RM/28 Biological Test Method: Toxicity Tests Using Early Life Stages of Salmonid Fish (Rainbow Trout)
PDF version: RM/28

1998
Second edition
RM/37 Biological Test Method: Test for Measuring the Inhibition of Growth Using the Freshwater Macrophyte, Lemna minor
PDF version:  RM/37

2007
Second edition
RM/50 Procedure for pH Stabilization During the Testing of Acute Lethality of Wastewater Effluent to Rainbow Trout
PDF version: RM/50

2008
RM/59 Procedure for pH Stabilization During the Testing of Acute Lethality of Pulp and Paper Effluent to Rainbow Trout (PDF)

2018
– Supplementary Background and Guidance for Investigating Acute Lethality of Wastewater Effluent to Rainbow Trout (PDF) 2008
– Supplementary Guidance for Investigating Acute Lethality of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents due to Ammonia (PDF) 2018
RM/24 Biological Test Method: Toxicity Test Using Luminescent Bacteria (PDF) 1992
RM/33 Biological Test Method: Test for Survival, Growth and Reproduction in Sediment and Water Using the Freshwater Amphipod Hyalella azteca (PDF) 2017
Third edition
RM/10 Biological Test Method: Reference Method for Determining Acute Lethality Using Threespine Stickleback (PDF) 2017
Second edition
RM/27 Biological Test Method: Fertilization Assay Using Echinoids (Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars)
PDF version: RM/27		 2011
Second edition
RM/60 Biological Test Method: Reference Method for Determining Acute Lethality Using Acartia tonsa (PDF) 2019
RM/42 Biological Test Method: Reference Method for Determining the Toxicity of Sediment Using Luminescent Bacteria in a Solid-Phase Test
PDF version: RM/42

2002
RM/32 Biological Test Method: Test for Survival and Growth in Sediment Using Larvae of Freshwater Midges (Chironomus tentans or Chironomus riparius) (PDF)

1997
RM/12 Guidance Document on Control of Toxicity Test Precision Using Reference Toxicants (PDF)

1990
RM/34 Guidance Document on Application and Interpretation of Single-species Tests in Environmental Toxicology (PDF)

1999
RM/44 Guidance Document for Testing the Pathogenicity and Toxicity of New Microbial Substances to Aquatic and Terrestrial Organisms (PDF)

2016
Second edition
RM/46 Guidance Document on Statistical Methods for Environmental Toxicity Tests (PDF)Footnote 1

2007 Amendments,
2005 First editionFootnote 2
– Recommended Procedure for the Importation of Test Organisms for Sublethal Toxicity Testing (PDF)

1999
– Revised Procedures for Adjusting Salinity of Effluent Samples for Marine Sublethal Toxicity Testing Conducted under Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Programs (PDF)

2001
RM/29 Guidance Document on Collection and Preparation of Sediments for Physicochemical Characterization and Biological Testing (PDF)

1994
RM/30 Guidance Document on Measurement of Toxicity Test Precision Using Control Sediments Spiked with a Reference Toxicant (PDF)

1995
RM/53 Guidance Document on the Sampling and Preparation of Contaminated Soil for Use in Biological Testing (PDF)

2012
RM/26 Biological Test Method: Acute Test for Sediment Toxicity Using Marine or Estuarine Amphipods (PDF)

1998 Amendments,
1992 First edition
RM/35 Biological Test Method: Reference Method for Determining Acute Lethality of Sediment to Marine or Estuarine Amphipods
PDF version: RM/35

1998
RM/41 Biological Test Method: Test for Survival and Growth in Sediment Using Spionid Polychaete Worms (Polydora cornuta) (PDF)

2001
RM/58 Reference Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Contaminated Sediment to Embryos and Larvae of Echinoids (Sea Urchins or Sand Dollars)
PDF version: RM/58

2014
RM/43 Biological Test Method: Tests for Measuring Avoidance Behaviour or Reproduction of Earthworms (Eisenia andrei or Dendrodrilus rubidus) Exposed to Contaminants in Soil
PDF version: RM/43		 2022 Second edition
RM/45 Biological Test Method: Test for Measuring Emergence and Growth of Terrestrial Plants Exposed to Contaminants in Soil
PDF version: RM/45

2007 Amendments,
2005 First editionFootnote 2
RM/47 Biological Test Method: Test for Measuring Survival and Reproduction of Springtails Exposed to Contaminants in Soil
PDF version: RM/47

2014
Second edition
RM/56 Biological Test Method: Test for Growth in Contaminated Soil Using Terrestrial Plants Native to the Boreal Region (PDF)

2013
RM/61 Biological Test Method: Test for Measuring Reproduction of Oribatid Mites Exposed to Contaminants in Soil (PDF)

2020

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