Grants and Contributions:

Back to search
Title:
Revolutionizing organic pollution impact assessment on benthic invertebrate communities using_x000D_ DNA-based methods
Agreement Number:
EGP
Agreement Value:
$25,000.00
Agreement Date:
Nov 8, 2017 -
Organization:
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Location:
British Columbia, CA
Reference Number:
GC-2017-Q3-00598
Agreement Type:
Grant
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Additional Information:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Recipient's Legal Name:
Helbing, Caren (University of Victoria)
Program:
Engage Grants for universities
Program Purpose:

The protection of marine habitats requires appropriate means to consistently and accurately detect impacts ofx000D
pollution associated with multiple discharges including municipal wastewater, stormwater, industrial waste andx000D
agricultural runoff. Traditional means for determining pollution impact has been through sediment and waterx000D
quality monitoring along with evaluating the composition of invertebrate species living in marine sediments.x000D
For over 20 years, Biologica Environmental Research Services Ltd. has provided expert species identificationx000D
services based upon taxonomy for government and industry clients. However, this activity is challenging andx000D
labour-intensive; organisms must be painstakingly isolated and carefully catalogued from marine sedimentx000D
samples and are often not intact enough for a taxonomic identification. The cost and time commitment severelyx000D
limits the spatial and temporal resolution of taxonomic surveys. Biologica has identified the need for ax000D
complementary capacity for faster, more efficient assessments based upon DNA technologies. Using thex000D
extensive biomolecular experience of the Helbing lab, Biologica intends to form a new collaborativex000D
relationship with the University of Victoria with the overall objective of developing a DNA-based toolbox tox000D
assess the proportions of animals living in marine sediments as pollution indicators. The creation ofx000D
taxonomically-verified protocols would place Biologica as a global leader in the taxonomic services industryx000D
and ensure the sustainability of Biologica's core services by providing the tools and training to verifyx000D
identifications using DNA sequences. The proposed project represents an opportunity for Canada to: (1)x000D
provide enhanced taxonomy services through targeted capitalization of advances in molecular biology, (2)x000D
improve and expand monitoring programs for various industries and municipalities; (3) drive innovation ofx000D
taxonomy-based companies encouraging their sustainability and longevity, and (4) improve upon ourx000D
understanding of the biodiversity of understudied marine habitats along the Pacific Northwestern coast.