SourceDNA
Identify and track the source of bacterial contamination in aquatic environments.
We help enable early detection of contamination and prioritise management zones to improve water quality. Catchments and waterways near urban, industrial and agricultural areas are at-risk zones for contamination. SourceDNA is an innovative solution to help waterway managers and authorities rapidly, safely and cost-effectively identify and track contamination in aquatic environments using eDNA. This method involves extracting eDNA from water samples and employing both qPCR and metabarcoding analyses to detect both indicator bacteria and potential source species, such as livestock and human DNA to identify possible causes of contamination.
- Rapidly identify contaminated ‘impact zones’ across whole catchments.
- Assess biological risks (including human health and ecosystem function) through identification of microbes of concern and their potential source.
- Undertake impact assessments and quantify effects of interventions in contaminated systems.
- Monitor pre and post discharge to assess any potential contamination risks and inform management.
This project aimed to deliver fast, reliable and accurate assessment of remote waterways to ensure they are healthy and free of gastrointestinal pathogens keeping local communities and the wider ecosystem safe from disease. As part of the One Health initiative within the AZA Tree Kangaroo SAFE Program, the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) and Zoo Miami conducted a water quality project in the YUS Conservation Area of Papua New Guinea.
The project team implemented our innovative eDNA contamination source tracker; SourceDNA to efficiently monitor key areas and understand pathogen distribution. They trained the TKCP team to design a survey across the YUS Conservation Area, collecting water samples from rivers and communal faucets. These samples were analysed using SourceDNA, enabling surveillance of gastrointestinal pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites.
