REM has considerable experience in environmental monitoring and preparation of monitoring reports for both the marine and freshwater environments.
Freshwater Monitoring
REM has undertaken a great deal of monitoring in the freshwater environment including kick sampling, electric fishing, native fish counts, trout counts and water quality. The health of a stream can be monitored by the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrate communities utilising the 'kick sampling' method. These results are analysed using the Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and can be compared to other stream communities above and below discharges, beyond mixing zones or between impacted and un-impacted streams. MCI can also play an important role in determining the health of a stream around mining operations or old mine workings as the water quality (pH & metals) can influence stream communities.
REM has considerable experience in collecting water samples from streams, discharges, ponds and rivers for all water quality parameters and then analysing the results to assess the health or status of the waterway or assessment for compliance monitoring. Water quality (particularly pH and metal concentrations) are a very good indicator of stream health, external influences, fish and macroinvertebrate communities.
Marine Monitoring
REM has considerable experience in marine ecological monitoring for both intertidal and subtidal communities, which includes compliance monitoring for resource consents, especially discharges to the nearshore marine environment.
The team can undertake impact assessments on the intertidal and shallow subtidal zone both qualitative and quantitatively following discharges to the marine environment. Assessments have been undertaken of intertidal areas following methanol and oil dscharges to assess effects on the marine communities.
The company has considerable experience in collecting sediment and seabed samples for sediment analysis and composition of faunal communities. These faunal communities are a good indicator to assess seabed health, either for impact assessment or state of the environment monitoring.
Oceanographic capabilities of REM include Bathymetric and Side Scan surveys creating bathymetric maps and high level definition maps of the seabed. In association with Metocean Solutions Limited, current and wave monitoring can also be undertaken and developed into models of oceanographic conditions for a particular site. This information is useful for Assessment of Environmental Effects and often a requirement for Resource Consent applications in the marine coastal area.
REM has a 7.5m Westcoaster boat in survey to undertake marine surveys, sampling and field work around the country. The vessel is on a trailer and can be towed to any location required. Dan, who is part of the REM team, is the skipper and has over 15 years commercial experience at sea.
