Workshops Take an In-Depth Look at Bioassay Analyses

Last year, Alloway conducted a series of workshops that focused on understanding a bioassay report. These workshops received great reviews, so we decided to conduct a similar event this year. The 2015 bioassay workshop will take a deeper look at what’s involved with a bioassay test, the statistics utilized, interpreting your report, and will include a segment on stream monitoring and water quality related to aquatic life.

Workshops will be held from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. on Wednesday, March 11th at the Alloway Marion facility located at 1776 Marion-Waldo Rd., Marion, Ohio, and Monday, March 23rd at the Allen County Sanitary Engineers located at 3230 N. Cole Street, Lima, Ohio.  Attendees have the opportunity to earn 4 Ohio EPA approved contact hours. The event includes a VIP luncheon. Those who are interested are welcome to tour the laboratory following the workshop. 

The standard fee for this workshop is $169, a special rate is available for bioassay customers under contract for 2015. Call Jessica Begonia or Kim Riddell at 419-223-1362 for more information.

Space is limited, so register through our online form today.

Workshop Agenda

Bioassay, Biological Tests (sludge fecals), an Overview of TRE (toxicity reduction evaluations) and TIE (toxicity identification evaluations), and Stream Water Quality

Permit requirements and language for conducting bioassays

Key elements of an Acute Bioassay

Key elements of a Chronic Bioassay

Bioassay Calculations

Bioassay Statistics

Permit requirements and how they relate to fecal methodology for sludge

Differences in fecal coliform sludge methods

Toxicity Reduction Evaluations

Toxicity Identification Evaluations

Stream Water Quality and Monitoring

After this program you will: 

  • Be able to clearly differentiate the test requirements of an acute bioassay from a chronic bioassay.
  • Understand the end points of each test, and understand the differences between acute endpoints in an acute bioassay and acute endpoints in a chronic bioassay.  They are not the same.
  • Be able to interpret your permit’s actual testing requirements.
  • Understand the difference between a TRE and a TIE.
  • Have a better idea of how to interpret your results.
  • Have a good understanding of the calculations used for reporting.
  • Be able to look at bioassay raw data and have a better understanding of what it means in terms of statistical evaluation.  What is the significance of “normal” data, and what is an “Analysis of Variance”? 
  • Be able to understand the “fine print” in your permit regarding sludge analysis for fecals. Why is it sometimes necessary to re-run an analysis, and how to avoid it.
  • Determine who should “drive” a TRE.
  • Understand those times when an apparent “hit” for toxicity should not be an issue and ideas for addressing that with the agency.
  • Have a better understanding of assessing stream water quality.