Automatic environmental monitoring using environmental DNA

Informations

Funding country

Norway

Acronym

-

URL

-

Start date

1/1/2020

End date

12/31/2023

Budget

1,226,392 EUR

Fundings

Abstract

The Norwegian Environment Agency need to improve the environmental monitoring. Therefore, we want to develop automatic monitoring using environmental DNA. One of our most important functions is to map and monitor the environment and spend more than 300 million NOK annually. In addition, the industry such as oil companies, watercourse regulators and other industries are obliged to perform environmental monitoring. Today's system for environmental monitoring is performed by field mappers manually registering in few selected areas in nature. It is time-consuming and costly and provides limited opportunity to detect alterations in "real-time". Environmental DNA is well suited to improve environmental monitoring. Automatic environmental monitoring will greatly increase the possibility of detecting potential hazards at an early stage. It also provides better data and the opportunity to monitor other important organisms such as indicator species and endangered species. This system can be used with great benefit in both private and public sectors, nationally and internationally, such as the petroleum sector, the aquaculture industry, research and the food- and health sector. This project goes over three phases where the first part involved the development of solution proposals. In 2020, four consortia have developed their own proposals for a tool for automatic environmental monitoring using environmental DNA. These solutions take care of different parts of our needs outlined in the project. Prototypes of the tool will be developed based on the solution proposals. There are innovative solutions that involve robotization and adaptation of current instruments and methods for outdoor use. Three consortia are part of phase 2, which will be completed during 2021. During this period, the prototype will be built, and a field-testing plan developed. Mid-term evaluation shows that the project is going as planned, and the schedule is being followed. At the same time, the pandemic has also affected this project. Phase 2 will end on 3 January 2022 and will be evaluated by 30 January 2022. In the project's phase 3, which will be completed in 2023, field-testing of the prototype will be the focus.