WP5 of NBS4AQUAMISSION project: D.5.1. NIBIO's protocol of water sampling, filtration, storage, and transport of filters for environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses in the NBS4AQUAMISSION project

This document details the technical procedure established by Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (Norway) for environmental DNA (eDNA) sample management within the NBS4AQUAMISSION project, thereby establishing a standardized protocol for all consortium partners. This deliverable (D5.1) is part of work package WP5, which is dedicated to aquatic biodiversity surveys for ecosystem functioning assessments. The guidelines require water sample collection in sterile glass bottles in triplicate, while strictly maintaining a cold chain during transport at all times. The protocol specifies the use of specialized 0.45 μm filters for freshly sampled water filtration in less than 24 hours after water collecting. It recommends deep-freezing storage of the filters at -80°C. For shipping materials to NIBIO, express transport, explicit labelling, and metadata sharing are required. The use of chemical buffers is suggested in case cold condition for transport is not guaranteed by other means. Finally, the protocol underscores the importance of prior and well-coordinated logistical arrangement/agreement across partners and their laboratories before any international shipment being settled and initiated.