Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory IAS has one of the best aquatic toxicology laboratories in the Southwest. The lab is equipped to conduct static, static renewal, and continuous flow acute and chronic toxicity tests with freshwater and marine organisms. Students and faculty associated with the laboratory conduct research on the effects of chemicals, effluents, stormwater, and ambient samples on aquatic organisms.
Research is conducted for the federal government, and a variety of industries and municipalities.
Toxicity tests are used by the laboratory in conjunction with chemical analyses to identify toxicants in effluents, stormwater runoff, and ambient samples. In addition researchers associated with the aquatic toxicology laboratory are engaged in studies which monitor, in a near real time mode, the bioelectric action potentials produced by aquatic organisms exposed to ambient waters. Bioelectric action potentials including such things as heart beat, and shell gape in clams are produced by organisms as they undergo daily cycles of activity. The bioelectric action potential research attempts to use changes in the magnitude and patterns of the potentials as a means of monitoring the status of the clams. The Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory is directed by Dr. William T. Waller .