Environmental Analysis
Tetra Tech provides accredited environmental analysis services that support our clients in making data-driven decisions across contaminated land, water quality, marine licencing, and waste management projects.
Tetra Tech delivers specialist environmental analysis services using the latest instrumentation in purpose-built laboratories located in the UK and The Netherlands. Our services help clients meet regulatory requirements and environmental targets across contaminated land, water, air, and waste management projects. We combine scientific rigour with operational efficiency to deliver high-quality results for a wide range of environmental and industrial challenges.
Our laboratories operate to ISO/IEC 17025 and MCERTs standards and are UKAS-accredited, with additional licences including a Plant Health licence for importing soil from outside the European Union, and permissions for handling explosives, chemical agents, and drugs. Supported by a responsive team and an extensive global network of partner labs, we can receive samples from our in-house sampling teams or external providers worldwide. This ensures data integrity, rapid turnaround times, and full traceability for clients across construction, infrastructure, energy, and local government sectors.
Water Analysis
We provide a complete water analysis service for our clients, from project management, sampling services, refrigerated transport, laboratory testing, data management, and reporting. This provides peace of mind as they receive high quality data within their expected timescales.
- Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)
- Water framework directive and POPs
- Specialist trace organics
- Bespoke chain-of-custody and import licenses
- Routine inorganics and organics
- Priority substances (PSs) and priority hazardous substances (PHSs)
- Specific pollutants (SPs)
- Substances with operational EQSs
- Emerging contaminants including PEWS list
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS
- Ultra-low level nutrients (ammonia, phosphorous, nitrate, nitrite)
We test for and analyse a variety of water pollutants.
- Cypermethrin
- Hexabomocyclododecane (HBCDD)
- PFAS EU DWD list of 20
- PFAS UK DWI list of 47
- PFOS and PFOA to WFD EQSD levels
- Tributyltin (TBT)
- Glyphosate and AMPA
- Steroids
- Surfactants including nonylphenols and octylphenols
- Pharmaceuticals
- Heavy metals total and dissolved
- Low level hexavalent chromium
- Low level mercury
- Flame retardants
- Antimicrobials
- Olfactory contaminants
- Chloroalkanes & Polychloronaphthalenes
- Routine Inorganics
- Microbiology
- Chlorophyll and phaeophytin
- Dechloranes & Siloxanes
- Phthalates
- PAHs and PCBs
- Endocrine disruptors
- Personal care by-products
- Insecticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Algicides and biocides
- Phenols
- Chelating agents (EDTA, NTA)
- Disinfection by-products (Nitrosamines, THMS, haloacetic acids, chlorate, chlorite, bromate)
- Perchlorate
- Triclosan
Sewage Sludge Analysis
Our laboratories deliver ISO/IEC 17025 accredited PFAS and trace contaminant testing for wastewater treatment streams, sewage sludge, and land applied biosolids, supported by nationwide specialist sampling teams for sewage, sludge, trade effluents, and environmental waters. We use contamination safe collection with a targeted PFAS 58 test suite and provide rapid, high volume PFAS and trace analysis to support reliable monitoring and regulatory compliance.
We are also able to provide more indicative analysis to identify the total PFAS loading of a sample either by doing TOP Assay or using our state-of-the-art Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC) instrument to perform Total Organic Fluorine, Total Fluorine, Inorganic Fluorine, Extractable Fluorine, and Adsorbable Fluorine. Our laboratory is equipped with over 15 LC-MS/MS systems including high resolution accurate mass systems, giving us unparalleled capacity which is further enhanced by our latest addition of automated robotic PFAS sample extraction and preparation systems.
Tetra Tech is the first laboratory in the UK to gain accreditation for PFAS in sewage biosolids. We have been chosen as the only laboratory to undertake sewage sludge and biosolids analysis for PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and emerging contaminants as part of the UK National Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP). Since 2015, we have covered both CIP3 and CIP4, testing across 2 AMP cycles and working on behalf of United Kingdom Water Industry Research (UKWIR) to collect and test samples from the 11 major utility companies across England, Wales, and Scotland.
We offer a wide variety of analysis in these matrices from routine inorganics and heavy metals all the way though to very complex organics.
- PFAS
- Heavy metals
- Carbon, sulphur and nitrogen
- Antimicrobials and pharmaceuticals
- Steroids
- Phthalates
- PAHs, PCBs, PCNs, PCTs
- Dechloranes
- Siloxanes
- Chlorinated paraffins
- PBDEs
- Pesticides
Sediments Analysis
We provide marine sediment analysis—including targeted PFAS and total fluorine methods—to support surveys, dredging projects, environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance. Our ISO/IEC 17025 methods and MMO validated protocols deliver regulatory quality data that meet OSPAR/HELCOM and national requirements. Our participation in NE Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) Scheme, Quasimeme, and quality assurance monitoring schemes produce comprehensive sediment characterisation and ensure robust, comparable results.
Tetra Tech offers a wide range of sediment analysis capabilities.
- Alkylphenols, Alkylphenol ethoxylates
- Biocides
- BTEX, VOCs, petrol range organics
- Carbonate content
- Dry solids and moisture content at 105°C
- Heavy metals by Aqua Regia digest
- Heavy metals by Total Hydrofluoric Acid digest
- Bioavailable heavy metals by 50% Nitric Acid digest
- ICP-MS and CVAFS analysis to meet the requirements for the characterisation of dredge material for disposal at sea
- Loss on ignition
- Oil in Water (GC-FID or FTIR)
- Organochlorine Pesticides by GC-MS
- Organotin compounds (TBT, DBT, MBT)
- PAHs EPA16 and alkylated 2-6 ring by GC-MS
- Particle Size Analysis (PSA) via wet /dry sieving and laser diffraction (NMBAQC method)
- PCBs including EN25, WHO12, IC7 and MMO 25 congeners
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
- Sediment density
- SVOCs by GC-MS
- Total Hydrocarbon Content (by UVF or GC-FID with UCM and n-alkane speciation)
- Total Organic Carbon by combustion and Infra-Red detection
- PFAS
Landfill Leachates
We provide robust landfill leachate analysis, routine monitoring, targeted screening and specialist trace level testing to support regulators, operators and consultants with reliable data for risk management and compliance. Our services include routine and custom leachate monitoring for regulatory compliance, scoping and R&D, sensitive micropollutant and emerging contaminant testing (PFAS, pharmaceuticals, POPs) at very low detection limits, and specialist screening for priority pollutants such as pesticides, VOCs/SVOCs, PCBs, PAHs, siloxanes, phthalates and dioxins. Proven handling of complex matrices, appropriate sampling and robust QA ensure defensible, regulatoryquality data.
We provide the typical parameters that are requested for routine chemistry.
- Heavy Metals
- PFAS
- Pesticides and POPs
- Biological Oxygen Demand
- Chemical Oxygen Demand
- Total Organic Carbon & Dissolved Organic Carbon
- Ammonia
- Nitrate/Nitrite
- Chlorides
- Sulphate
- Sulphide
- Cyanide
- Total Solids & Suspended Solids
- Conductivity
- pH
- Oxygen Reduction Potential
Explosives
Our licensed, state-of-the-art facilities—equipped for safe explosives handling and onsite licensed storage—provide defence-focused analysis across soils, sludges, waters, swabs, building materials, air sampling tubes, and filters. We have an in-house team of subject matter experts with deep expertise to deliver this analysis. We can aid the decommissioning and remediation of contaminated land and buildings, underpinned by UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 and MCERTS accredited testing with rapid analysis and low limits of detection.
We have a range of instrumentation at our disposal for the detection of explosive residues and energetic materials including GC-TEA, LC-UVDAD, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, LC-HRAM-MS, IC and IC-MS, DSC, and Pyrolysis-IC.
Tetra Tech tests for a wide range of materials or stabilisers.
- 2,4 & 2,6-Dinitroethylbenzene
- 2,4,6-Trinitroethylbenzene
- 2-Amino-4,6-DNT
- 2-Nitrosodiphenylamine (2-NDPA)
- 4-Amino-2,6-DNT
- Dinitrotoluenes
- Ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN)
- Ethyl centralite
- HMX
- HNS
- Hydrazine
- Hydroxylammonium perchlorate (HAP)
- Methyl centralite
- Nitro, dinitro and trinitrobenzenes
- Nitrocellulose (NC)
- Nitroglycerine (NG)
- Nitrotoluenes
- Perchlorate
- PETN
- Picric Acid
- Picrite (nitroguanadine)
- Polyethylene glycol dinitrate (PGDN)
- RDX
- Tetryl
- 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
Chemical Agents
Although chemical weapons are banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, residues persist in former manufacturing, storage and disposal sites and are still encountered—sometimes from World War I and II buried or seadredged ammunition—causing reported exposures that produce severe burns, blisters and carry carcinogenic risk. Tetra Tech is licensed by the UK National Authority under the Chemical Weapons Convention to hold Schedule 1, 2, and 3 chemicals, plus relevant precursors and degradation products.
We offer screening and targeted analysis for chemical warfare agents and related compounds in soil, water, swabs and other materials, with rapid turnaround for suspected blister agents and their breakdown products. Typical targets include sulfur mustard (and degradation products such as thiodiglycol), lewisite-related compounds, supported by accredited-secure handling and specialist expertise.
We can provide guidance, desk study, and site support to provide vital assessments at all stages via our trained EOD teams, backed by onsite screening and laboratory testing.
We typically carry out targeted testing for a range of chemical agents.
- 1,4-Dithiane (precursors)
- 1,4-Thioxane (precursor)
- Lewisite I, II & III
- Mustard Gas H,Q & T
- Thiodiglycol (precursor)
We can also screen for the presence of other agents using our in-house reference libraries as well as external spectral databases as part of the analysis.
Stack Emissions Analysis
We deliver UKAS and MCERTS accredited stack emissions analysis—covering gases, metals, particulates, and VOCs—with rapid, regulatory compliant testing and specialist support for industrial and power generation operators. Using standards driven methods (EPA, BS EN, NIOSH) to meet Environmental Permitting and Industrial Emissions Directive requirements, we provide expert advice on sampling media and compliance to ensure legally defensible results, backed by an experienced technical team that supports stack test houses, process operators, and consultants nationwide.
Our UKAS and MCERTS scope of accreditation covers a range of stack emissions.
- Ammonia (BSEN ISO 21877:2019)
- Anions/Acids (USEPA Method USEPA26+26A/BSEN 1911-1:2010)
- Formaldehyde (USEPA 316)
- HCI (BSEN 1911-1:2010)
- HF (BS EN 17340:2020 & BS ISO 15713:2006)
- Hydrogen Sulphide (USEPA 11)
- lsocyanates (USEPA CTM 036)
- Mercury (BSEN 13211 :2001)
- Metals (BSEN 14385:2004)
- Nitrogen Oxides (USEPA Method 7D)
- Particulates (BSEN 13284:2017)
- Phenols and Cresols (NIOSH 2546)
- Sulphur Dioxide (BSEN 14791 :2017)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (BSEN 13649:2014)
Materials Analysis
We provide ISO 17025 accredited materials analysis for POPs, plastics, foams, and building materials to support safe reuse, recycling, disposal, and regulatory compliance. Our specialist POPs screening and emerging contaminant testing covers plastics, foams, insulation, cables, packaging, and recycled streams to inform reuse, recovery or destruction decisions, with targeted assays for flame retardants, PCBs, pesticides, solvents, isocyanates, and ethylene oxide. Global sample handling is supported by our in-house teams and laboratories to meet commercial and regulatory requirements.
Tetra Tech conducts analysis on a range of materials.
- Flame retardants such as BDE, HBCDD in cable and foam insulation materials
- PCBs in electrical cable, insulation material, and waste products
- Pesticides in recycled products, waste materials
- Quality control of limonine levels in recycled plastics
- Analysis of isocyanates in products and packaging (please link to Isocyanates in air and urine)
- Ethylene Oxide levels in food packaging (link to ethylene oxide in air)
- Persistent organic pollutants in waste and recycled materials, animal bedding, card, and packaging
- Polichlorinated Naphthalenes and Polychlorinated Terphenyls in waste
Accreditation
