RDE824 - Experimentally derived death and growth rates for enterococci in Englis

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Environment Agency

Value

£87,958

Suppliers

UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)

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Research and development consultancy services

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award

Submission Deadline

4 days from now

Published

1 hour ago

Description

The overall objective of this work is to understand the environmental variability in the decay (or growth) rates of IE from different sources (agricultural versus human) in a range of English freshwater designated bathing waters. Contract awarded by Defra.

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JNCC is undertaking an offshore survey to collect data to assist in monitoring the effectiveness of proposed fisheries management measures covering 42 English Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) including North-West of Jones Bank (NWJB) Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). This survey is being utilised as an opportunity to investigate the effectiveness of various benthic environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling techniques for monitoring marine biodiversity, and to assess the performance of each method relative to the others to inform future monitoring methodology. JNCC wishes to commission a contract to undertake an analysis of marine taxa eDNA present in sediment and water samples to be collected at the seafloor on the TC25035 survey of North-West of Jones Bank MCZ. JNCC plan to trial three benthic eDNA collection methods within the survey area. 3. Project Background The RV Tom Crean will depart from Cork for the TC25035 survey on 9 September 2025 and return on 25 September 2025. Seventeen days of sampling will be carried out as part of the survey, focusing on data collection to support the assessment of potential fisheries management measures. The survey will gather data on the effects of reduced fishing pressure on the recovery of subtidal mud habitats, as well as of sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities. North-West of Jones Bank MCZ is situated approximately 165 km offshore from the South-West of England. The site covers 399.14 km2 of continental shelf, and it contributes one of the largest areas of subtidal mud to the MPA network of all designated MCZs. For more information regarding NWJB MCZ please see https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/north-west-of-jones-bank-mpa/. DNA and eDNA are increasingly utilised, cost-effective tools for monitoring biodiversity. Traces of DNA (e.g. from scales, faeces, skin, blood) left in the environment (e.g. water and sediments), called environmental DNA, are left behind by all organisms. Using molecular methods, such as eDNA metabarcoding, we can detect an organism's presence in the environment without directly observing it. eDNA techniques can provide high-resolution pictures of biodiversity from micro to macro scales and inform on assemblage composition and biological processes at reduced costs and time. Niskin bottles, metaprobes and sediment samples have been increasingly used in recent years to collect DNA from inshore marine waters, complementing existing traditional survey methods. However, application of these methods in offshore waters has been more limited. 4. Project Objectives As part of the offshore survey to North-West of Jones Bank MCZ, the primary research and development objective will be to trial three eDNA sampling techniques to fill significant knowledge gaps on the use of eDNA in offshore environments. To achieve this objective, the following research questions to be answered are: 1. Which benthic eDNA sampling methods are recommended for sampling offshore marine organisms based on the following factors? a. Quantity of DNA collected b. Quality of DNA collected 2. How do the following parameters compare among the benthic eDNA sampling methods? a. Species detected b. Species of conservation interest detected c. Species richness To answer these questions, JNCC plan to collect four eDNA samples using each of the three methods below, at four stations within the survey area. This will result in up to 48 eDNA samples plus six controls. eDNA source eDNA collection method Storage Sampling methods Water Sterivex filter 99% ethanol (volume tbc) Niskin bottles attached to a CTD from a depth 3 metres above the seafloor Water including sediment particles Gauze 50ml 99% ethanol Metaprobes attached to a towed camera sledge for 30 mins Sediment Sediment sample Frozen Sediment samples collected from a Day grab JNCC wishes to commission a contract to undertake this analysis of marine taxa eDNA in water and sediment samples collected on the TC25035 survey of NWJB. JNCC plan to collect a total of 54 samples. However, please note that the resulting sample number will depend on successful sampling delivery, which could be affected by factors such as weather. JNCC would like to use primers to test samples for the presence of marine vertebrates, fishes, invertebrates, meiofauna and bacteria. The successful contractor will undertake the analysis as set out below (Section 5) adhering to common standards. 5. Project Objectives: Detailed Tasks The tenderers should provide a quote broken down into the following elements: • Transport of 54 samples (48 eDNA samples plus six controls) from Cork, Ireland to the laboratory • Sample preparation and DNA extraction of 54 samples (48 eDNA samples plus six controls) • The per-sample analysis of: o 16 x niskin bottle eDNA samples plus two controls o 16 x metaprobe eDNA samples plus two controls o 16 x sediment eDNA samples plus two controls Using universal primers to target a full range of marine biodiversity such as: o Bacteria and archaea (e.g. marker 16S rRNA) o Meiofauna invertebrates (e.g. marker 18SSSU) o Invertebrates (e.g. marker CO1LB) o Fish (e.g. marker 12STele) o Vertebrates (e.g. marker 16SMV3) • Delivery of a final report, to include: o Introduction and aims o Methods o Results o Discussion o Recommendations for future offshore monitoring The methods section of the report should share sufficient detail for the study to be repeated. 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State any programs that were used. • State any reference libraries used, and if a custom database was created the rules used. • Where sequences are being used for taxonomic assignment, please explain the methods used to assign a species and why any reads may have been discarded. The results and discussion sections of the report should include the following: • The efficiency of DNA extraction and correct amplification of expected PCR products at each stage. • A discussion of any problems and how they were resolved, such as issues with PCR leading to a change of reagents or amplification conditions. • A detailed discussion explaining the results and confidence levels of the bioinformatic processing. • Detailed results, including statistical analysis of data, to address Questions 1 and 2 above. • To answer Question 2b, the results should include tables on species of interest, detected using each method. 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Environment Agency

Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions

Bo-Jess Brooks

[email protected]

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