Amplicon sequencing from MS Estonia shipwreck samples
This project is linked to the investigation was requested by the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK). The requested task consisted of analyzing material deposited on the hull of the MS Estonia shipwreck, observed in association with the front hole on the starboard side. In summary, material deposited in 13 locations close to the fracture was analyzed in terms of element content, microbial community composition, mineralogy, and particle morphology. A piece of steel, cut out from the sampled area, was also analyzed for reference purposes.The objective of the conducted analyses was to identify the sources of components found in the sampled material. This expertise involved the participation of three working groups from three universities: Stockholm University, serving as the principal investigator, Orebro University and Lund University.The present project aims to describe the microbial diversity (prokaryotic and eukaryotic), which was determined through DNA extraction, 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA short read amplicon sequencing, and subsequent taxonomic profiling.