This document specifies a method for assessing the effects of chemical and aqueous samples on the embryo-larval development of marine bivalves. This method allows the determination of the concentration levels that result in an abnormality in embryo-larval development. This test is suitable for salinity ranges:

—     between 20 PSU (practical salinity unit) and 40 PSU for mussels, and

—     between 25 PSU and 35 PSU for oysters.

This method in this document applies to:

—     chemical substances and preparations,

—     marine and brackish waters,

—     streams and aqueous effluents (urban, agricultural, industrial effluents, etc.) as long as the salinity is adjusted or dilution is limited so that the aforementioned salinity ranges are respected,

—     aqueous extracts (pore water, elutriates, eluates and leachates) from sediments and petroleum products, and

—     samples of contaminated sediment or dredged material (see Annex C).