A Novel Method of Monitoring the Health o f our Global Fresh Water Supply using DNA Barcoding of Chironomidae (Diptera)

Overview

Dr. Cristina Fernandez Jim Waltman The Watershed Institute It is forecast that 66% of our population will experience water scarcity within a decade, leaving us more dependent on surface water for drinking. This requires more filtration infrastructure, and monitoring of surface water sources. Current methods rely on expensive and technically challenging manual identification of biological samples. Macroinvertebrates spend their larval lives within a small a rea of water, showing cumulative effects of habitat alteration and pollutants that chemical testing and field sensors do not. Molecular methods enhance biomonitoring programs. This project explores deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) barcoding, to measure waterway health with larval Chironomidae (order Diptera), the most widespread macroinvertebrate family. Their complex taxonomy makes manual morphological identification difficult. A statistical sampling plan was designed that represents variation in geological, ecological, and land use factors. Four methods of isolation and amplification were compared. Statistical analysis shows DNA Barcoding of Chironomidae results in more accurate and precise waterway health data, adding significant value for monitoring scarce water resources. The learnings from these data are being applied building microbiology capability a t a nonprofit scientific water study institute.

Awards (1)

2nd Place Environmental Science

Competition history

JSHS 2020 Category not listed

Resources

National JSHS abstract book

Related projects

ISEF · 2019