ISO 17805:2026

Overview

ISO 17805:2026 establishes internationally consistent procedures for the sampling, capture, and preservation of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water bodies. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard specifically addresses best practices for collecting genetic material shed or released into aquatic environments by present or recently present organisms. By focusing on the integrity of eDNA during sample collection, filtration, and preservation, ISO 17805:2026 enables accurate water quality monitoring and biodiversity assessment while minimizing cross-contamination and sample degradation.

This standard outlines:

• Sampling strategies for collecting eDNA from water,
• Filtration and preservation techniques,
• Contamination avoidance procedures,
• Requirements for necessary equipment,
• Detailed metadata and reporting protocols.

ISO 17805:2026 excludes eDNA collection from sediments, passive sampling methods, and does not cover sampling design or biofilm monitoring.

Key Topics

1. Sampling and Field Procedures

• Appropriate Sampling Locations and Timing: Optimizing sample collection based on environmental features, such as water flow, depth, and organism behavior (e.g., DNA shedding rates or spawning seasons).
• Representative Sampling: Ensuring even distribution of samples and the use of pooled or continuous sampling techniques for spatial coverage.
• Pre-Fieldwork Preparation: Rigorous cleaning and decontamination of all sampling equipment to prevent DNA contamination.
• On-Site Filtration: Use of direct, pump-based, or manual filtration methods for efficient eDNA capture.

2. Preservation of eDNA

• Immediate Preservation: Emphasizes the importance of fast separation and preservation of eDNA to prevent degradation, via on-field filtration, freezing, or use of appropriate preservative solutions.
• Types of Filters and Preservation Methods:
  • Enclosed, open, and housed filters: Guidance on handling and storage to protect DNA integrity.
  • Preservative Solutions: Use of ethanol, Longmire’s solution, or other commercial options tailored to sample transport and storage requirements.

3. Contamination Prevention

• Stringent Protocols: Use of disposable gloves, decontaminated tools, and field blanks to detect and minimize cross-contamination risks.
• Equipment Handling: Adopted measures for clean sampling, processing, and storage to uphold sample reliability.

4. Metadata and Reporting

• Comprehensive Data Collection: Requires recording of sample name, GPS location, date/time, environmental context, and sample volume.
• FAIR Principles: Metadata aligns with Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data standards to boost transparency and reproducibility.

Applications

ISO 17805:2026 serves a wide array of applications for water quality assessment and ecosystem monitoring:

• Biodiversity Monitoring: Non-invasive detection of aquatic organisms, offering a powerful alternative to traditional, labor-intensive methods.
• Invasive Species Detection: Early identification of invasive or rare species via trace DNA in water samples.
• Conservation Programs: Data-driven support for aquatic habitat management and policy compliance with frameworks such as the EU Water Framework Directive.
• Academic Research: Standardized foundation for research into freshwater, marine, and estuarine ecological dynamics.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supports national and international agencies in standardized water monitoring and reporting.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to water quality and environmental monitoring, the following standards are relevant:

• EN 14011: Aquatic environment sampling for biological analysis.
• EN 14757: Guidance on methods for enumeration and species identification in aquatic samples.
• EN 15460: Water sampling general methods.
• CEN/TR 17245: Metabarcoding of diatoms in rivers and lakes.
• ISO 8601-1: Date and time formats for metadata reporting.
• MIxS Metadata Standards (Genomic Standards Consortium): For eDNA and sequence data documentation.

Adopting ISO 17805:2026 enhances reliability, reproducibility, and international comparability in eDNA-based water quality investigations, ensuring high standards for aquatic biodiversity tracking and ecosystem management.