Biological Activity Reaction Test (BART) for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria
Much like the test for Iron Bacteria, this Biological Reaction Activity Test (BART) for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria makes determining the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria easy.
Collect a water sample from the well in question and pour it into the BART testing vial. Observe the vial for a period of eight days. The SRB BART test will display a positive result when there is foam produced and/or a black ring develops around the interior vial of the testing tube.
Depending on how quickly a reaction is observed, this provides you with an indication of the bacterial count within the water sample. For example, if a reaction is observed within one day of starting the test, the bacteria count is high with a reading equal to, or greater than, 2,200,000 CFU/ml (colony forming unit). Additionally, if no reaction is seen within 6 days, the bacteria count is equal to 1400 CFU/ml. A negative test has no black color, no color, and no clouding within 9 days.
The SRB BART kit instructions include an easy to decipher chart that can be used for determining the bacterial count of your sample.
