Your supplied sampling instructions, transcribed for reference, with an example field record based on the details they ask collectors to capture.
The document includes two different collection methods: direct collection into 5 mL vials, and a separate filtration / composite-soil workflow. Follow only the instructions included with your specific kit; do not combine these methods.
Example field data sheet
Blank example record — derived from the protocol, not a completed survey or a transcription of a separate form.
Sample ID / barcode
Blank
Collector name
Blank
Site name
Blank
GPS coordinates
Blank
Collection date
Blank
Collection time
Blank
Sample type (water / soil / scat)
Blank
Volume filtered (mL) / material collected (g)
Blank
Environmental conditions / weather
Blank
Field notes
Blank
Preservation / labeling record
Blank
Chain-of-custody / return record
Blank
Source · Pages 1–2
Sampling Protocol
01 Prep
Ensure all materials necessary are present (see item checklist).
Have plenty of well fitting sterile gloves. Do not touch your face, phone, or the surrounding environment once they are on.
Keep the 5 mL tube sealed until the exact moment you are ready to collect the sample.
02 Site Data
Pick the place you'd like to investigate. Note the GPS location, environmental conditions, and time so your findings have clear, useful context for biodiversity analysis.
03 Collect carefully
For Water: Use the sterile dropper to collect 2 mL of water and add it to the 5 mL tube (which already contains 2 mL of preservative).
For Soil/Scat: Use the plastic spatula to scoop approximately 1 mL (or 1 gram) of material and place it into the 5 mL tube.
Verification: The sample is successfully transferred into the tube without spilling the existing preservative.
Important Preservative Notice (5 mL Vials)
Provided 5 mL vials contain a non-toxic liquid DNA/RNA preservative. Do not empty or rinse the tubes prior to sampling. Fill directly into the buffer solution for both water and soil targets.
Included kit supplies checklist
Eyedropper Pipette; Soil Scoop; Sterile Bag for Vials; Sample Vials (with stabilizer); Instructions, Chain of Custody & Data Sheet.
04 Record the details
Label your sample with its ID and record the location, date and any field notes in your Field Journal.
05 Return your sample
Seal your collection materials following the included directions and use the provided return mailer.
06 Explore your results
Once analysis is complete, your detected species and survey information will be available in your Field Journal.
Sample Preservation & Chain of Custody Tips
Ensure 5 mL vial caps are tightly secured before placing into the sterile specimen bag. Keep collected samples away from direct sunlight and excessive heat, and mail via return mailer as soon as possible.
Submission & Verification Checklist
Sample ID Barcode: Affix sticker cleanly.
Field Journal Log: Date, GPS & conditions.
Return Mailer: Prepaid shipping bag.
Results Dashboard: Species detection portal.
Source · Page 4, with page 3 variations below
eDNA Field Sampling Protocol
Standard Operating Procedure & Field Kit Reference Guide · Aquatic & Terrestrial Sampling
01 Preparation: Clean gloves & sterile PPE → 02 Site metadata: Log GPS, date & conditions → 03 Sample harvest: Capsule filter or soil core → 04 Preserve & tag: Buffer tube & sample ID → 05 Return & track: UN3373 prepaid packaging.
Section 1: Field collection workflow
A. Water eDNA sampling (Lite & Pro kits)
1. Capture: Wade upstream of boots or collect from shore. Fill sterile 1 L Whirl-Pak stand-up bag with ambient surface water.
2. Drive Filtration: Attach 0.45 μm enclosed Sterivex filter capsule. Draw into 60 mL Luer-Lok syringe (Lite) or connect 12 V peristaltic pump (Pro) at ~1.0 L/min.
3. Target Volume: Target 250–1,000 mL per sample. In high turbidity, filter until resistance peaks (or record exact volume reached if under 500 mL).
4. Evacuate Residual Water: Push 2× full air syringes through capsule to expel residual water prior to buffer injection.
B. Soil & scat eDNA sampling (terrestrial)
1. Core Extraction: Clear organic leaf litter. Extract surface core (0–10 cm depth) using sterile soil scoop or stainless steel corer.
2. Homogenization: Deposit 3–5 sub-cores into heavy-duty homogenization bag. Seal and manually knead/massage for 60–90 seconds to homogenize.
3. Subsample Aliquot: Using sterile spatula, transfer exactly ~1.0 g (approx. 1 mL mark) of composite soil directly into the 10 mL buffer vial.
Critical quality control & QC rules
Glove Protocol: Don new powder-free sterile nitrile gloves before each sample. Never touch face, phone, boots, or water.
Upstream Sampling: Always face upstream into current. Never disturb benthic substrate upstream of collection intake.
Field Negative Control: Process 1 control vial with 500 mL sterile distilled water per 10 field samples to certify zero cross-contamination.
Section 2: Preservation & chain of custody
A. Non-hazmat chemical stabilization
Pre-Filled Buffer Vials: 5 mL (water) or 10 mL (soil) screw-cap vials contain non-toxic Longmire's lysis buffer or silica desiccant. DO NOT EMPTY OR RINSE VIALS!
Direct Inoculation: Inject 2 mL buffer directly into capsule inlet, or add 1 g soil into vial. Seal tightly and invert 5 times to lyse cells.
Ambient Temperature Stability: Preserved eDNA remains stable at ambient temperature (15–25°C) for up to 30 days without dry ice or cold-chain freezing.
B. Digital chain of custody (COC) & Sample ID
Waterproof Cryo-Labels: Write unique Sample ID clearly on vial label with waterproof marker. Ensure label does not overlap cap seams.
Instant App / Portal Sync: Log Sample ID via portal.envirocoder.org mobile portal. GPS coordinates, timestamp, volume filtered, and weather auto-sync.
Physical Backup Sheet: Record Sample ID, Collector Name, Site Name, and Date on the enclosed Rite-in-the-Rain paper log form.
C. Return shipping & regulatory compliance
Triple-Packaging Specimen Containment: Place sealed vials into primary zip specimen pouch with absorbent strip. Seal inside secondary return bag.
UN3373 Exempt Biological Specimen: Because non-flammable buffer replaces ethanol, samples ship under UN3373 Biological Substance Exemptions with ZERO HAZMAT surcharges.
Prepaid Courier Dispatch: Drop the prepaid bubble packaging at any USPS/UPS parcel drop box within 24–48 hours of field collection.
Section 3: Kit supplies & field checklist
Verify all components before departing for field site.
□ Filter capsules
Enclosed Sterivex 0.45 μm capsule filter with Luer-Lok caps. Eliminates open funnel handling & bleaching.
Water Lite & Pro
□ Buffer vials
5 mL or 10 mL O-ring screw-cap vials pre-filled with Longmire's lysis buffer or silica desiccant.
Page 3 repeats the filtration and soil workflow, but uses “2D DataMatrix Cry-Stickers” instead of manual sample labels: “Affix waterproof barcode sticker lengthwise onto the vial. Ensure sticker does not overlap cap seams.” Its portal instruction reads: “Scan barcode via portal.envirocoder.org mobile camera. GPS coordinates, timestamp, volume filtered, and weather auto-sync.” Its supplies list names “2D CRYO-STICKERS”: “Cryo-safe waterproof DataMatrix barcodes & Rite-in-the-Rain physical chain-of-custody log sheets.” Its workflow says “UN3373 prepaid mailer,” and its return instructions say “prepaid bubble mailer” rather than “prepaid bubble packaging.”
