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Environmental Sample Processor

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Rapid and routine monitoring of coastal water quality not only protects human health, but also provides information on mitigating poor water quality to improve ocean heath. The Environmental Sample Processor Project provided knowledge and advanced technology for water quality monitoring to regulatory stakeholders. The centerpiece of this project was the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), an autonomous ocean going instrument developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) to monitor a variety of aquatic microorganisms in real-time. In partnership with MBARI, COS developed a suite of molecular assays specific for use on the ESP to detect pathogens and microbial indicators. The sampling capabilities of the ESP were utilized by the Environmental DNA (eDNA) project to obtain biological information on greater spatial and temporal scales. These methods have the ability to influence national and state water quality standards to protect human and ecological health as well as water quality.

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