September 23, 2021: Water Sample
Image courtesy of Art Howard, GFOE, 2021 Technology Demonstration. Download larger version (jpg, 3.5 MB).
NOAA Ocean Exploration scientist Katharine Egan examines a water sample collected during the 2021 Technology Demonstration that will be used for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. eDNA is the genetic material shed by organisms into the environment (in this case, the water column). By collecting samples of mucus, feces, or tissue particles, scientists can process eDNA to make new discoveries about marine life. eDNA sampling techniques are nondestructive and noninvasive and improve access to hard-to-reach ecosystems like the deep ocean. One of the goals of the expedition was to pilot eDNA sampling techniques for NOAA Ocean Exploration to potentially be incorporated into future operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.