Filtering Water Samples for eDNA Analysis
Channel: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District
Date: 2011-11-29

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Fish Biologist Matthew Shanks explains the environmental DNA (eDNA) process at EPA labs, Chicago, July 2011. USACE works with other agencies to aggressively monitor the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) to determine the location and abundance of Asian carp in the area, using traditional and non-traditional methods, including eDNA analysis. Environmental DNA involves extracting genetic material from water samples to identify the presence of Asian carp DNA in an area. While the eDNA process provides indications of potential presence, it does not indicate whether the DNA is from a live fish nor does it provide information about Asian carp quantity, age, size, how they got there or how long they may have been there. For more information on eDNA, visit http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/AsianCarp.