Toxicity Testing
Novel Chemicals
KASF Consulting works with small and large companies to test novel chemicals or equipment and determine their effects on invasive mussel adults, juveniles, and veligers. We work with the client to meet their needs and interests while ensuring a strong study design and field applicability. We include factors such as temperature gradients, water quality changes, and different size classes of organisms tested. By including many of these variables in our study design, we help the client understand the toxicity of their chemical.
Comparison of Chemicals
KASF Consulting collaborates with clients in water management to determine possible treatments that succeed in their unique environment. We have conducted studies comparing several chemicals under the same water-quality parameters at different temperatures to determine their effectiveness against quagga and zebra mussel adults, juveniles, and veligers. We review the literature for previous results and use them to inform our study. We examine additional parameters that could influence the chemical's efficacy, given the site’s water quality.
Small studies are first conducted in static testing beakers to control more variables. After reviewing and identifying key factors, we recommend flow-through or larger treatment studies to the client. This helps the client assess the needs of the novel product before spending additional resources.
At KASF Consulting, we use a specialized method (Fast Green Stain Method) to determine the mortality of the individuals in testing. This method provides clients with precise duration endpoints and allows us to observe many specimens during treatment, reducing statistical error and increasing confidence in the results. We are also able to observe many specimens during treatment decreasing the statistical error of the study.