The second level of chemical monitoring is for larger scale evaluation programs requiring more complex chemical analyses from state certified laboratories. The advantage of having CytoCulture manage your laboratory monitoring effort is that we can provide one quote including all of your biological, chemical and gas analyses needs for a given site. We also will provide technical advice and interpretation, as well as coordinate all of the analytical details including sample containers, hold times, and reporting. There are several means of determining general or total populations of bacteria at a site. These assays will also provide evidence for microbial activity, and can indicate zones of microbial inhibition.
Direct Counts use microscopy to more accurately determine total bacteria in a sample.
These groups will have different biodegradative activities and rates and are active in the absence of oxygen. Assays Direct evidence for populations of contaminant-degrading bacteria can be obtained with specialized enumeration assays. More advanced genetic and biochemical methods, such as PCR, fatty acid analyses, and genetic probes , have also been developed for characterizing bacteria capable of specific contaminant degradation activities. In cases such as these, the EPA recommends laboratory microcosm studies in order to demonstrate site specific biodegradation activity. These microcosm studies are usually performed on a research basis, and are developed using the information gained from initial monitoring events.