Nicosia: Cyprus is among a select group of countries that have adopted DNA-based approaches for routine water monitoring, as part of the Water Framework Directive, a report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) revealed on Wednesday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the report highlights that Cyprus utilizes DNA-based methods specifically for monitoring phytoplankton in both rivers and coastal waters. The findings indicate that Cyprus is one of only two nations, accounting for 8% of participants, that have integrated these advanced methods into their official monitoring routines. In contrast, the remaining 24 countries, or 92%, have yet to implement such techniques.
The report, titled "Exploring DNA-Based Approaches for Monitoring and Classification under the Water Framework Directive," delves into a broader European survey and its results. Notably, it includes a case study focused on Cyprus's efforts to develop a phytoplankton index and a hybrid environmental DNA (eDNA) index for the country's hypersaline lakes.
The document further details the ongoing development of a phytoplankton-based index specifically designed for five of Cyprus's temporary hypersaline lakes: Akrotiri, Larnaca Airport Lake, Larnaca Main Lake, Orfani, and Soros. These efforts underscore Cyprus's leading role in embracing innovative technologies for environmental monitoring.