At what temperature should preserved samples be stored?

Preserved samples should be stored at a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. This temperature is optimal for slowing down microbial growth and preserving the integrity of the samples, which is critical for accurate analysis in wastewater testing and monitoring. Storing samples at this temperature helps to minimize degradation and maintains the quality of the sample over time.

While temperatures such as 0 degrees and 2 degrees Celsius may also be used for refrigeration, they do not provide the same level of optimal conditions for preserving samples as 4 degrees does. Higher temperatures, such as 6 degrees Celsius, are generally too warm and can lead to unwanted biological activity, which may compromise the results of testing. Therefore, 4 degrees Celsius is the standard target temperature for ensuring that samples remain stable and unaltered until they can be analyzed.