Overview
EN ISO 17805:2026 - Water quality: Sampling, capture and preservation of environmental DNA from water is an international standard developed by CEN and ISO. It establishes guidelines for sampling water to collect, capture, and preserve environmental DNA (eDNA) in aquatic environments. The standard covers critical procedures for avoiding contamination and maintaining DNA quality, outlines best practices for the use of equipment and preservatives, and specifies reporting requirements to support consistent, reliable results in eDNA-based water quality monitoring.
Appropriate sampling and preservation of eDNA are essential for aquatic biomonitoring, biodiversity assessment, and compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the European Union Water Framework Directive. This standard enables laboratories, research organizations, and regulatory bodies to minimize errors and ensure high-integrity data for downstream genetic analyses.
Key Topics
- eDNA Sampling Procedures: Guidance on optimal water sampling methods for collecting eDNA from organisms present in waterbodies, excluding sediments and biofilms.
- Prevention of Contamination: Detailed protocols for equipment cleaning, sample handling, and personnel hygiene to avoid cross-contamination.
- Filtration and Capture: Overview of filter types (enclosed, open, housed) and considerations for their use, including choice of pore size and materials to maximize DNA recovery and minimize sample loss.
- Sample Preservation: Procedures for immediate field preservation using freezing, drying, or chemical solutions (e.g., ethanol, Longmire’s solution) to halt DNA degradation.
- Equipment Requirements: Specifications for gloves, pumps, syringes, filter capsules, and storage containers suitable for eDNA work.
- Reporting Standards: Essential metadata to be recorded, such as sample location, environmental parameters, filter type, and preservation method, crucial for data reproducibility and interpretation.
Applications
EN ISO 17805:2026 has broad practical value across multiple sectors concerned with environmental management and molecular biodiversity monitoring:
- Biodiversity Assessment: Enables the detection and monitoring of aquatic species, including invasive, endangered, or cryptic organisms, by analyzing DNA from water samples without needing to capture live specimens.
- Regulatory Compliance: Assists in fulfilling national and international obligations for water quality assessment under environmental directives and agreements.
- Ecological Research: Facilitates consistent, comparable eDNA sampling methods for studies on aquatic ecosystem health, population dynamics, and community composition.
- Conservation Management: Provides standardized protocols for agencies and NGOs tasked with habitat monitoring, restoration, and impact assessment of water bodies.
- Early Warning Systems: Supports rapid detection of harmful species or pathogens, allowing for timely management actions.
Related Standards
EN ISO 17805:2026 is part of a suite of water quality standards and eDNA guidelines. Relevant standards that may be used in conjunction with this document include:
- EN ISO 7027-1:2016: Water quality - Quantitative determination of turbidity.
- EN 14011:2003, EN 14757:2005, EN 15460:2007: Standards for biological and ecological examinations of water.
- CEN/TR 17245:2018: Routine sampling of benthic diatoms for metabarcoding.
- Nagoya Protocol: International legal framework for access to genetic resources - compliance may be necessary before sampling.
Practical Value
By adhering to EN ISO 17805:2026, organizations and professionals enhance the reliability and comparability of eDNA data. The standard supports evidence-based environmental decision-making, enables international collaboration, and helps protect aquatic ecosystems by providing clear, replicable protocols for eDNA collection and preservation.
Keywords: water quality, environmental DNA, eDNA sampling, eDNA preservation, aquatic biomonitoring, EN ISO 17805, contamination prevention, filter types, preservative solutions, biodiversity assessment, water sampling standard.
