Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
07:37
Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
Published on: January 19, 2018
21.5K
Environmental conditions influence eDNA persistence in aquatic systems
Matthew A Barnes1, Cameron R Turner, Christopher L Jerde
1Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Change Initiative, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|January 16, 2014
Summary
Environmental DNA (eDNA) degradation in aquatic systems is complex. Higher oxygen demand and chlorophyll levels slowed eDNA decay, contrary to expectations, impacting species surveillance accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Molecular ecology
- Conservation biology
Background:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance is crucial for species conservation and management.
- Understanding eDNA degradation dynamics in aquatic environments is limited.
- Existing studies show wide variability in eDNA persistence, from under a day to over two weeks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on eDNA degradation in aquatic systems.
- To experimentally investigate how environmental conditions influence eDNA degradation rates.
- To explain discrepancies in published eDNA persistence estimates.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature review on aquatic eDNA degradation.
- Used a SYBR Green quantitative PCR assay in laboratory mesocosms.
- Monitored the degradation of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) eDNA over time.
Main Results:
- Common Carp eDNA concentration exhibited exponential decay, with observed rates exceeding previous aquatic macrobial eDNA values.
- eDNA degradation rates decreased as biochemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll, and total eDNA concentrations increased.
- Environmental factors significantly influence eDNA degradation, explaining divergent persistence estimates.
Conclusions:
- Local environmental conditions critically affect eDNA degradation rates.
- Accurate interpretation of eDNA surveillance requires considering environmental influences.
- Quantifying local eDNA degradation is essential for reliable species monitoring and management.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Freshwater Microbial Ecology
58
Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic...
58
01:22Microenvironments
54
Microorganisms inhabit highly localized spaces known as microenvironments, which are defined by distinct physical and chemical characteristics. These include oxygen concentration, pH, temperature, light availability, and nutrient levels. The conditions within a microenvironment can differ markedly from those in the surrounding area and significantly influence microbial growth, metabolism, and community structure.Microenvironments often display sharp physicochemical gradients over small spatial...
54
01:17What is an Ecosystem?
38.5K
Overview
38.5K
01:30Marine Microbial Ecology
66
Marine microbial ecosystems are shaped by distinct physicochemical limits, including high salinity, low nutrient availability, and fluctuating oxygen levels. These conditions favor smaller microbial cell sizes, which maximize their surface-to-volume ratio for efficient nutrient uptake.Microbial activity and community composition are closely linked to biogeochemical cycles, particularly in dynamic environments like estuaries, where halotolerant microbes thrive in response to variable salinity...
66
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
5.8K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
5.8K
02:17Ecological Succession
19.2K
Ecological succession is influenced by the processes of facilitation, inhibition, and toleration. Facilitation occurs when early successional species create more favorable ecological conditions for subsequent species, such as enhanced nutrient, water, or light availability. In contrast, inhibition happens when early successional species create unfavorable ecological conditions for potential successive species, such as limiting resource availability. In some cases, later successional species...
19.2K