SYNAQUA cross-border synergy for biomonitoring and preservation of aquatic ecosystems

Prélèvement des échantillons des diatomées dans le canton de Genève (photo Arielle Cordonier, DETA, Genève)

Rivers and lakes play a major role in the environment by providing not only habitat for fauna and flora, but also improving the landscape and therefore the quality of life. The effectiveness of environmental protection measures rests on the early and precise identification of pressure points, which should be facilitated by environmental genomics. To implement measures to preserve or restore aquatic areas, the SYNAQUA project proposes to use the genetic tools based on the recognition of bio-indicator organisms present in the aquatic environment directly from their DNA. The method of environmental DNA analysis, will be tested by Swiss and French scientists in collaboration with public and private stakeholders on two groups of bioindicators commonly used for water quality assessment: diatoms and oligochaetes.