ECOCHEM (Ecosystems Physico-Chemistry), chemical research laboratory of OD NATURE, is accredited according to the ISO17025 standard since 2005. Over the years, the scope of the accredited analyses has been expanded systematically, to now include most analyses of nutrients and organic carbon in seawater, as well as salinity and chlorophyll a. In addition, a wide range of organic contaminants have been included, such as PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and organotin compounds. Comparative oil analysis, better known as fingerprinting, has also been added to the accredited expertise.
In the autumn of 2021, yet another unique analysis was successfully added to the analytical scope: from now on, the determination of explosives (TNT and some of its degradation products) in seawater also falls under the accreditation. Few labs worldwide have preceded ECOCHEM in this respect. This accreditation reinforces the value of the research results on the presence of explosive components and toxic substances at the ammunition dump "De Paardenmarkt" in the Belgian part of the North Sea, and has led to the fact that ECOCHEM is also authorised to perform such analyses for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat).
For more detail about the accreditation (in Dutch only): 279-TEST.pdf (fgov.be)
For more information about the EMBRC-BE service and how to apply: https://embrc.eu/services/service-catalogue/tec5rbins
