The Sample can be soil, water, or sludge. When the sample is received at the laboratory, it is immediately prepared for the Total Heterotrophic Plate Count.

1.  Total Heterotrophic Plate Count

Over the next 48 hours the Petri plates containing dilutions of the samples are incubated for optimum bacteria growth. The populations are counted twice, once at 24 hours and again at 48 hours. At the end of 48 hours, each bacterium has grown into a colony. Each colony is distinguishable by size, color and texture. It is at this time we determine, by colony morphology, the number of different types of bacteria in the soil or water.

2.  Isolation

Each type of bacterial colony is picked, using a sterile loop, and then streaked onto a new Petri plate. These plates are then incubated for 24 hours in order to produce sufficient quantities of the strain. The isolated strains of bacteria are then harvested for processing in the Endpoint Assay and for identification by GC-FAME, Biolog™, or Vitek2 ID Systems.

3.  Endpoint Assay and Identification

The Endpoint Assay tests the individual bacterial strains for their ability to use a specific substrate/contaminant as its only carbon source. This custom designed test uses a negative control of water and a positive control of a nutrient broth. The growth success of the bacteria is illustrated in a bar chart report.

The Identification of the bacterial strains takes place while the Endpoint assay is running. Two methods are employed as a cross-check for precision and to provide an exact profile of the strain. The GC-FAME method provides a profile of the fatty acid composition of the bacteria and the Biolog^TM method provides a characterization of the bacteria by the carbon sources the strain can consume.

4.  Table and Bar Chart

Next, the raw data is compiled and a summary Table of the bacterial identifications and a Bar Charts of the Endpoint Assay raw data are created. These two items are incorporated in the full Report at the conclusion of all tests.

5.  Final Report and Chemistry Results

The Bioremediation Feasibility Study is complete at this point. If either the client or the MiL provides nutrient Chemistry Results, we will integrate the results within the Bioremediation Feasibility Study in order to provide an Estimated Project Length report. This report estimates the time it would take your site to reach specified clean-up goals under ideal conditions.