The Service was formed in July 2000 from the old Government Analytical and Forensic Laboratory which was now divided into three seperate bodies.;;;;Analytical Services Tasmania (AST) provides an analytical chemistry and biological testing and advisory service to state and local government agencies, industry and the general public. The chemical testing and advisory service is provided for areas of environmental water and soil testing, potable water supplies, and samples related to industrial operations. The scope of chemical testing encompasses physical parameters, nutrients, trace metals, pesticide residues, major and minor anions. A biological testing and advisory service is provided for areas of algal identification and enumeration, and toxicity testing in water.