This book presents concepts and definitions on toxicity assays applied to fresh water: sampling procedures, storage, and treatment of testing samples, as well as a detailed description of standard methods for the assessment of the toxicity of pure chemicals, effluents, natural water sources, surface water, groundwater, and sediments. The methodologies described correspond to assays for determining acute, lethal, sublethal, and chronic effects on test organisms.

The book also includes guidelines to implement a bioassay laboratory with procedures that ensure the physiological and acclimation conditions of organisms cultured and/or kept in situ or obtained from a third party. All of these procedures are accompanied by the definition of good laboratory practices and the rigorous analytical quality control that assure maintaining the sensitivity of test organisms.