A community science project on the biodiversity of the St. Lawrence River
Espace pour la vie and Génome Québec are inviting the public to take part in a community science activity whose aim is a better understanding of the state of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence River Estuary through an analysis of the environmental DNA contained in a single
water sample.
At the heart of this project lies the beluga, an emblematic sentinel species in Québec.
How to participate
The public is invited to collect water samples containing environmental DNA, following a protocol established by Génome Québec and with support from the Biodôme education team. Those samples will be analyzed at the Centre d’expertise et de services Génome Québec, and the results will afterwards be available both for research purposes and to the public.
Sampling dates and locations
Just come and join us on the banks of the St-Lawrence River!
| Cities | Sampling dates |
|---|---|
| Port-au-Saumon, Centre écologique de Port-au-Saumon | May 22, July 5 and August 23 |
| Cacouna, Pointe de Cacouna Ktopeqonok | May 22, July 5 and August 23 |
| Tadoussac, Centre d’interprétation des mammifères marins | May 23, July 6 and August 24 |
| Rimouski, Parc national du Bic | May 23, July 6 and August 24 |
The initiative will help:
- support conservation efforts for key St. Lawrence River species;
- better understand the biodiversity and changingenvironment of the St. Lawrence River Estuary;
- mobilize the public around the importance of preserving aquatic ecosystems.
Environmental DNA, how does it work?
eDNA functions like a genetic fingerprint left behind by living organisms in their environment.
- To detect it, all that’s needed is a sample of water, soil, or air from a natural setting (river, lake, forest, etc.). These samples contain traces of DNA shed by organisms—such as skin cells, mucus, feces, or pollen.
- In the lab, the DNA is isolated and amplified (multiplied) using techniques such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This produces enough genetic material to be sequenced. It’s also at this stage that researchers can target a specific group of organisms to study.
- The DNA is then compared to existing genetic databases. This makes it possible to identify which animals, plants, bacteria, or fungi have been present in the environment—often without ever seeing them. Researchers analyze the results to determine if a species is present, if contamination is occurring, or if an ecosystem is healthy.
code Béluga at the Biodôme from summer 2025
The Biodôme, one of the five Espace pour la vie museums, will be offering a series of educational activities on the theme of the estuary, beluga and environmental DNA.
