SAMPLING PROTOCOLS VIDEO GUIDES

Aquatic eDNA

Sampling Instructions

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, can be captured from waterbodies and used to detect biodiversity with the NatureMetrics aquatic eDNA sampling kits. Here, our CEO Katie Critchlow shows you how simple it is to take an eDNA sample from water.

Katie shows you how to collect a water sample, filter the water using the filtering kit provided, and preserve it with our preservative solution. After watching this video, you’ll have seen how easy the aquatic eDNA sampling process is, and you will be ready to collect your own eDNA samples using our easy-to-use kits and protocol.

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SOILS & SEDIMENTS

SAMPLNG INSTRUCTIONS

In the video below, our soil scientist Dr Hayley Craig shows you our standard protocol for collecting soil samples using the cold storage kit.

Our soil and sediment sampling kits are easy to use in soft substrates and have been tested in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Cold storage is the best way to preserve DNA in soils and sediment samples, but we recognise that this is not always possible. We therefore provide alternative means of sample preservation where required, and can help you to design a sampling methodology that meets your specific project requirements. Talk to our team to ensure you use the best kits for your project.

Back to Soils & Sediments Protocols

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PACKAGING NOTES AND QUICK LINKS

• Return your samples using the box that kits were sent in, where possible.
• If using an alternative box, ensure that it is in good condition and remove any old labels.
• Avoid excess spacing by adding cushioning material (e.g. bubble wrap, newspaper) to avoid the product shifting inside the box.
• Use good quality sealing tape and seal along box edges in a H pattern.
• The only essential thing to send back to us is the specimen bag containing the sample and the sampling datasheet. However, all kit contents can be sent back to NatureMetrics for recycling.
• Register for your my.naturemetrics account here.
• Please find our Terms and Conditions here.

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Important considerations for your sampling

• The absence of a detection does not necessarily imply the absence of a taxon from a location.
• Samples from some locations might have compounds that inhibit analyses resulting in reduced data generation – while we routinely test for inhibition, it is not always possible to overcome.
• It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that all efforts have been made to avoid contamination from external sources and between samples.
• Handling samples without gloves can increase the content of human DNA, reducing data generation.
• After sampling, movement of samples across borders without permission is not allowed as they are classed as biological samples.

Important considerations for interpreting your results

It should be noted that DNA can enter an ecosystem via many routes (e.g. wastewater from commercial and domestic sources). While DNA from a given taxon may be present and detectable, it is not possible to discern the source of the DNA. Results from common food items, domestic species and livestock species need to be interpreted with caution.

Disclaimer: Safe sample collection is the responsibility of the Client. NatureMetrics accepts no liability associated with the use of the kits and sample collection. The Client is solely responsible for the quality of the samples and the representativeness of the samples received by NatureMetrics. The information contained within the Final Report provided by NatureMetrics to the Client is not intended to be advisory, it is informational. Interpretation and decisions are the sole responsibility of the Client. NatureMetrics does not accept any liability whatsoever for any reliance placed on any information contained within, or any use that may be made of, the Final Report by the Client. Please read the full limitation of liability statement in the Terms and Conditions.