Characterising biodiversity patterns associated with marine oil and gas infrastructure using environmental DNA

Environmental DNA metabarcoding is under-utilised at marine infrastructure, which can develop extensive biotic communities. To optimise environmental DNA at these challenging environments, I trialled and applied novel collection methods and analysed biodiversity at eight oil and gas platforms in the...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Alexander, Jason Bradley
Format: Thesis
Published: Curtin University 2023
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/92886
Description
Summary:Environmental DNA metabarcoding is under-utilised at marine infrastructure, which can develop extensive biotic communities. To optimise environmental DNA at these challenging environments, I trialled and applied novel collection methods and analysed biodiversity at eight oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Thailand. This data was used to inform impacts of potential decommissioning. This research demonstrates the enormous potential of eDNA as an ecosystem-wide monitoring approach as well as an informative tool for marine management.