Q: Does Aquatox Research have a standard price list?

A: Aquatox Research provides tailored quotations upon request. Quotations are project specific and a function of the total number of samples, types of tests and anticipated frequency of testing requests.

Q: What types of services are included in routine NPDES/SPDES biomonitoring testing?

A: Aquatox Research provides sample bottles and shipping containers (coolers) at Aquatox Research’s expense. We also provide the results of reference toxicity tests with test results at no additional charge.

Q: What is the standard turnaround time for test results?

A: Preliminary test results are provided via e-mail within 24 hours of test completion. Formal reports for routine testing activities are normally generated within one week of test completion.

Q:What is Aquatox Research’s billing policy?

A: Aquatox Research will accept either a client-issued Purchase Order Number or verbal authorization from the technical contact. Invoices are issued either upon the conclusion of brief-duration projects or monthly for extended-term projects. Terms are typically 30-days NET unless otherwise negotiated in advance.

Q: How are reports delivered to clients?

A: Aquatox Research provides signed reports electronically via e-mail in pdf format.

Q: Does Aquatox Research include a separate charge for consulting services in conjunction with charges for it’s testing services?

A: No. Aquatox Research discusses the results of testing projects with clients via phone or e-mail at no additional charge. Aquatox Research will also not charge for consulting services if a client’s representative travels to Syracuse to meet with Aquatox Research personnel in the Aquatox Research facility.

Q: Under what circumstances does Aquatox Research charge for consulting services?

A: Aquatox Research charges for consulting services when a member of the staff leaves the Aquatox Research facility to meet with a client at their location.

Q: How much sample and receiving water is required for routine effluent testing purposes with fish and invertebrates?

A: Acute tests with fish and invertebrates require a 24-hr composite 4L effluent sample per day on 2 consecutive days. Acute tests also require 10L of receiving water with each shipment of effluent. Chronic tests with fish and invertebrates require a variable amount of effluent and receving water that is dependent on the range of test concentrations specified by the NYS DEC.

Q: How much sample is required for Microtox tests?

A: Microtox is a specialized micro assay involving bacteria. Consequently, this test requires no more than a few mls per trial to conduct. Typically we request 40-50 mls of aqueous samples to complete a Microtox testing project.

Q: What is the holding time for samples destined for Microtox testing?

A: Microtox is not a regulatorily approved assay in the United States. Consequently, there are no published guidelines regarding holding times for Microtox. However, we routinely advise clients to honor holding times published for NPDES and SPDES testing purposes with fish and invertebrates. Under these criteria, aqueous samples such as effluents should be used in testing activities within 36 hours of the completion of collection. ARI requests that samples destined for Microtox analyses are shipped by Next Day Priority and it is ARI’s policy to analyze Microtox samples on the day of receipt to satisfy the 36-hr holding time period.

Q: Can Aquatox Research assist in the design of testing projects?

A: Yes. Aquatox Research personnel can provide guidance on sampling schemes to assist in the interpretation of results. There is no charge for this support service as long as the testing activities are awarded to Aquatox Research.

Q: Is Aquatox Research certified in New York State to provide biomonitoring services?

A: New York State does not certify biomonitoring laboratories. Instead, the NYS DEC relies on the results of reference toxicant tests to assess the acceptability of effluent test results. Aquatox Research includes these data in every biomonitoring report. Please visit our In-house Reference Toxicant Testing Charts under Technical Qualifications on this website to review representative data sets for each of the tests we routinely conduct.

Q: Does Aquatox Research participate in the yearly DMRQA testing program sponsored by the U.S. EPA?

A: Yes. All biomonitoring laboratories that provide NPDES/SPDES effluent testing services must participate in this program. Please visit our DMRQA Results page under Technical Qualifications on this website to review our performance.

Q: Do Aquatox Research personnel actively engage in environmental research in addition to providing standardized testing services?

A: Yes. Aquatox Research does use standardized tests in research applications in support of clients’ needs. If appropriate for the objectives of a project, Aquatox Research personnel will draft manuscripts for publication in the peer-reviewed literature at the request of a client. Abstracts of published studies appear in the Publications and Microtox sections on this site.