Protecting ocean biodiversity: developing and deploying real-time environmental DNA sensors in international marine sanctuaries

Team: Fiorenza Micheli, Jennifer Dionne, Collin Closek, Halleh Balch
Planning (Scoping)

Society must learn to measure aquatic biodiversity quantitatively in order to maintain the health of local ecosystems. The project team worked with marine ecosystem partners such as the Palau International Coral Reef Center and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to determine the specifications (e.g., size, power, and material) required to integrate a quantitative measurement system into ongoing field research in marine ecosystems. It is particularly challenging to make key measurements in seagrass meadows, mangroves, and shallow coastal waters. 

The team developed a next-generation silicon chip for in-situ optical sensing of marine ecosystem health. This technology platform (based on high-Q nanophotonics) can directly detect gene sequences (environmental DNA) at low concentrations. It can also detect the cyanotoxins that contaminate various coastal and freshwater ecosystems. The researchers created a proof-of-concept sensor, optimized and de-risked the experimental workflow, and discovered how to deploy it in marine preserves for maximum impact. The sensor can help to monitor marine biodiversity in streams, estuaries, and coastal and offshore marine environments; to sustain reef ecosystems and fish populations; to increase understanding of fish population, migration, and spawning in community-based fisheries; and to reduce the use of fuel that affects food prices and ecosystem health.

This project also contributes toward the Biological Solutions for Sustainability and Climate Adaptation flagship destination.