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Project title

Integration of DNA-based assessment tools into water quality and biodiversity monitoring

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM)

Lead Organisation

University College Dublin (UCD)

Lead Applicant

Jens Carlsson

Project Abstract

The Water Framework Directive water quality assessment is largely based on specimens collection and subsequent morphological identification. The work requires significant effort and highly trained staff for collection and taxonomic identification. The identification of taxa is sometimes only to family level or less as there might be difficulties in identifying distinguishing morphological characters. Hence, the full biodiversity is not documented. Recent advances in High Throughput DNA Sequencing (HTS) now allows for using free floating DNA or tissue based DNA to be interrogated for the presence of species and by using several genetic markers is is possible to not only find key species used in the Water Framework Directive but also to describe the broader biodiversity. However, the direct comparison of DNA-based methods and the Irish Water Framework Directive approaches are yet to be conducted. Similarly, the cost benefit analyses of DNA vs traditional methods have not been performed in the Irish context. The current proposed project will take advantage of recent advances in HTS to (i) assess if DNA based methods can supplement traditional methods for a range of organisms (macroinvertebrates, fish, phytobenthos and macrophytes). Further, the project will assess if (ii) novel DNA-based metrics can be developed and implemented. In addition, the project will (iii) showcase added benefits of DNA-based methods such as detecting biodiversity that is not capture by traditional methods. How (iv) microbial diversity correlates with water quality and demonstrate how microbial diversity can detect and trace pollutants. The research team will also (v) demonstrate novel methods for generating individual barcode sequences for Irish species and not only use existing sequence repositories (GenBank, BOLD and https://freshbase.myspecies.info), but also add (vi) to these resources by uploading sequences generated in the project to these repositories. Based on findings in the project a guidance document (vii) for implementation of DNA-based methods will be produced. The detailed site selection for study systems will be made in collaboration with the EPA appointed steering committee. The findings from the project will be reported to the steering committee, stakeholders and other groups through meetings and updates as well as through conference participation and publications in peer-reviewed open access journals. Through taking advantage of the latest genetic methods and approaches and collaboration with world experts in Norway and the UK, the project will train two PhD students that will directly build Irish research capacity.

Grant Approved

�486,974.64

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

31/03/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/03/2027