Environmental Water Samples
Environmental Water Samples - Related Videos
08:04
Use of a Filter Cartridge for Filtration of Water Samples and Extraction of Environmental DNA
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Cited by 133 •
2016
We describe a protocol for filtration of water samples with a filter cartridge and extraction of environmental DNA (eDNA) without having to cut open the housing to remove the filter. This protocol is developed for metabarcoding eDNA from fishes, but is also applicable to eDNA from other organisms.
03:25
Amoeba-Based Enrichment of Giant Viruses from an Environmental Water Sample
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2026
Source: Bou Khalil, J. Y.,et al. A Rapid Strategy for the Isolation of New Faustoviruses from Environmental Samples Using Vermamoeba vermiformis. J. Vis. Exp. (2016)This video demonstrates the enrichment of giant viruses from an environmental water sample using amoeba-based co-culture to enable downstream detection and analysis.
09:17
Detection of Bacteriophages in Environmental Samples
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - The University of Arizona Demonstrating Author: Alex Wassimi Viruses are a unique group of biological entities that infect both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. They are obligate parasites that have no metabolic capacity, and in order to replicate, rely on host metabolism to produce viral parts that self-assemble inside host cells. Viruses are ultramicroscopic—too small to be viewed with the light microscope, visible only with...
10:41
Carbon and Nitrogen Analysis of Environmental Samples
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Margaret Workman and Kimberly Frye - Depaul University Elemental Analysis is a method used to determine elemental composition of a material. In environmental samples such as soils, scientists are particularly interested in the amounts of two ecologically important elements, nitrogen and carbon. Elemental analysis by the flash combustion technique works by oxidizing the sample with a catalyst through combustion in a high-temperature chamber. The products of combustion are...
13:26
Automated Gel Size Selection to Improve the Quality of Next-generation Sequencing Libraries Prepared from Environmental Water Samples
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Cited by 9 •
2015
This manuscript describes an automated gel size selection approach for purifying DNA fragments for next-generation sequencing. The Ranger Technology provides complete automation of the entire process of agarose gel loading, electrophoretic analysis, and recovery of targeted DNA fragments allowing for high-throughput and high quality next-generation sequencing libraries.
FAQs
These factors determine whether a sample reflects the water body or condition being studied. Sampling different locations can reveal variation across a river, lake, groundwater source, or wastewater setting, while depth and timing capture changes within the system. A plan that matches these variables to the monitoring objective makes laboratory results more representative and easier to interpret.
They help maintain the chemical and biological properties present when collection occurs. If handling conditions alter those properties before analysis, laboratory measurements may no longer represent the original water. Appropriate containers, preservation, and transport therefore support more reliable results, especially when researchers assess nutrients, contaminants, physical characteristics, or microorganisms.
Laboratory results provide patterns that can be compared across sampling locations, depths, or times. Measurements of nutrients, contaminants, microorganisms, and physical characteristics may show differences between natural and human-impacted waters. Interpreting those patterns in relation to the sampled environment can help connect observed conditions with potential pollution sources and broader ecosystem change.
Analysis can characterize several dimensions of water quality rather than relying on a single measurement. Physical characteristics describe the sample, while nutrient and contaminant measurements address chemical conditions; microorganism analysis adds biological information. Together, these results provide a broader basis for evaluating environmental conditions and identifying changes associated with human activities.
A typical workflow begins by selecting representative locations, depths, and sampling times. Researchers then collect portions of the relevant water, place them in appropriate containers, preserve them, and transport them in a way that maintains their properties. Laboratory analysis follows, with results interpreted against the environmental question, such as water-quality assessment or pollution evaluation.
The source depends on the environmental question. Rivers and lakes can support assessment of conditions across surface-water systems, while groundwater sampling examines subsurface water conditions. Wastewater samples address human-impacted waters and potential pollution concerns. Comparing these settings helps researchers examine how human activities influence aquatic systems and where monitoring or control efforts may be needed.
Their laboratory results supply evidence for evaluating water-quality conditions and identifying contaminants or microorganisms of concern. Regulatory programs can use these findings to assess environmental status and inform pollution control, while public health efforts can consider relevant water-quality information when protecting people from potentially harmful conditions. The value depends on representative collection and preserved sample integrity.
Sampling across selected locations and times allows observed measurements to be related to changing environmental conditions. Results may show how nutrients, contaminants, microorganisms, or physical characteristics vary in waters affected by human activity. This information supports research on ecosystem change, helps identify pollution patterns, and provides evidence for monitoring the effectiveness of pollution-control efforts.