eDNA-Optima

Understanding and valuing biodiversity and ecosystem health is an essential prerequisite for all human activities at sea. Human-driven changes, new economic activities, and growing maritime traffic all have significant impacts on biodiversity. As a result, businesses are paying more attention to how their operations affect ecosystems. 

One emerging tool in this effort is environmental DNA (eDNA), which provides valuable insights into where and when biological species are present. This is possible because organisms always shed some of their DNA into the environment they live in. Due to its non-invasive nature, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, eDNA is gaining popularity to support policy and management decisions.

However, challenges remain, especially in complex marine environments like the North Sea. eDNA methods are indirect, meaning they detect DNA sequences, not the organisms themselves. eDNA-based observations are therefore prone to false positive (species is not there but its DNA sequence is detected) or false negative (species is there but its DNA sequence is not detected) species detections. 

These uncertainties can lead to incorrect management decisions, delaying or disrupting economic activities and reducing stakeholder trust in eDNA technology. As a result, traditional observation methods often remain a requirement alongside eDNA surveys.

The eDNA-OPTIMA project strives to overcome these challenges by addressing the key issues that cause inaccurate detections. Specifically, it focuses on better understanding the processes that affect eDNA transport and degradation in the environment. To study this, researchers will conduct field experiments using controlled eDNA sources to measure how far the eDNA spreads. 

In addition to these experiments, the project will use bioinformatics and hydrodynamic modeling to refine eDNA analysis techniques. By studying eDNA fragmentation patterns, the team will estimate how long eDNA remains detectable in the water and how far it has likely traveled.

A core goal of the project is to create reliable protocols for collecting and interpreting eDNA data. This involves minimizing contamination risks and reducing the chances of false positives or negatives. The team will focus on improving eDNA methods specifically for species groups which are crucial to marine biodiversity but difficult to detect using current eDNA techniques.

To make eDNA sampling more practical, the project will also develop automated sampling technologies that can be deployed on fixed structures or uncrewed surface vessels. These advancements could make eDNA collection more efficient and less labor-intensive, benefiting industries in the blue economy. By establishing best practices for automated eDNA sampling, the project aims to ensure high-quality data collection.

Ultimately, the eDNA-OPTIMA project will help make eDNA a trusted and effective tool for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem health, both in the North Sea and other marine environments.