mtDNA-seq of PCR blank metagenome
Environmental DNA (eDNA) was amplified using PCR reactions that included blank controls, referred to as PCR blanks. These consisted of all PCR reagents except template DNA, using nuclease-free water in its place. Amplification was performed with primers targeting the COI gene region, and resulting products were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform for metabarcoding analysis. The goal of this study is to monitor spatial variation in Arctic macro-organismal communities and to establish a comprehensive portrait of Arctic biodiversity using eDNA metabarcoding.