Research and analysis

Developing DNA techniques to identify freshwater invertebrates for environmental monitoring

Testing new techniques to analyse environmental DNA that can be used as indicators of water quality

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 10 October 2017

Documents

Developing DNA techniques to identify freshwater invertebrates for environmental monitoring: summary

Ref: SC110014

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Details

A PhD student at Bangor University, co-funded by the Environment Agency, has taken us closer to using DNA analysis for routine monitoring of freshwater macroinvertebrates (animals a few millimetres long such as insect larvae). The project successfully used new techniques to analyse environmental DNA (eDNA) released by organisms into water, for example in skin or faeces, to identify invertebrate species that are used as indicators of water quality.

With further developments this approach should offer a quicker, cheaper and more effective way to carry out this important part of our environmental monitoring work. The project was part of a wider programme of research by UK agencies to develop DNA-based methods for environmental monitoring.

Published 10 October 2017