Revolutionary autonomous aquatic eDNA sampling solution for marine and freshwater applications

NatureMetrics and Dartmouth Ocean Technologies (DOT) have launched the DOT-NM Autosampler. This highly advanced system enables the autonomous collection of eDNA samples from marine and freshwater environments, providing users with unsurpassed insight into aquatic biodiversity.

The new autosampler overcomes a significant obstacle in aquatic environmental monitoring by autonomously sampling eDNA—genetic material naturally shed into waters by organisms—over long-term deployments without the need for labour-intensive vessel-based campaigns. This new capability provides safe, cost-effective, and continuous biodiversity data collection, even in highly remote locations. 

After thorough validation, the DOT-NM Autosampler has been proven to generate eDNA data with equal species detection and biodiversity resolution as traditional manual sampling methods carried out manually. Fugro, the globally renowned environmental survey provider, is already planning several commercial deployments to use the system’s autonomous sampling capabilities for multi-month offshore operations to considerably lower operational costs than cyclic vessel-based surveys.

The DOT-NM Autosampler seamlessly integrates with NatureMetrics' end-to-end nature intelligence reporting workflow, powered by eDNA technology and cutting-edge bioinformatics. Following the autonomous collection of samples using NatureMetrics’ proprietary eDNA filter technology, samples are processed through a highly sophisticated eDNA laboratory. The resulting data is then analysed using NatureMetrics' innovative DNA metabarcoding pipelines to identify species in the studied location. Comprehensive biodiversity insights are provided through the NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform, which features interactive data visualisation and reporting tools developed specifically to enable informed environmental decision-making.

This solution simplifies marine and freshwater environmental monitoring programs by replacing often complex logistical supply chains and providing practitioners with auditable, actionable datasets. It finally aligns biological data collection with the spatial and temporal resolutions necessary for sound environmental management. 

Taking full advantage of DOT's expertise in designing and developing robust oceanographic instruments, the autosampler system has been engineered for dependable operation across many conditions in aquatic environments. The autosampler provides an autonomous collection of up to 9 consecutive 5-litre eDNA samples per deployment and includes user-configurable sample timing and volume settings based on study requirements. This user-friendly device performs automatic sample preservation and self-cleaning routines between samples and has three depth rating options for 20m, 200m and 2000m deployments. The DOT-NM Autosampler can be deployed from a vessel, a static mooring or integrated with drones or AUVs and is ideal for a host of applications, including marine conservation, offshore energy, aquaculture and wastewater monitoring.

Thanks to systematic, repeated eDNA sampling, the DOT-NM Autosampler offers users a holistic biodiversity picture, which was, until now, unattainable when performing intermittent, patchy surveys. This overview includes the detection of migratory and nocturnal species and a clear insight into ecosystem changes over time, which are extremely important environmental baselines for effective monitoring and management programs.

With substantially reduced HSE exposure, costs, and carbon footprint savings when compared to manual surveys and proven data quality, the new autosampler is set to drive the expansion of eDNA-based biodiversity measurement across many industrial sectors.