2026-10-14T03:00:11Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34046892 2026-10-01T16:06:43Z category_4 category_146 category_12 category_21 category_272 category_734 category_69 category_132 category_134 portal_63 item_type_6 month_year_10_2026

Removal is Mediated by Decomposing Leaf Litter in Streams Running Title: Stream eDNA Removal Mediated by Leaf Litter Erik M. Curtis (25157391) Jennifer L. Tank (2916356) Elise D. Snyder (16871648) Pedro F. P. Brandão-Dias (12333295) Kyle Bibby (170247) Arial J. Shogren (5562782) Diogo Bolster (2101723) Scott P. Egan (287807) Gary A. Lamberti (1431175) Biochemistry Space Science Cell Biology Biotechnology Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified Inorganic Chemistry Infectious Diseases Virology important seasonal change decomposition modify biotic conducted experimental releases 4 – 1 seasonal leaf litter leaf litter understanding leaf litter accumulation decomposing leaf litter interpreting edna data streams running title leaf litter density interpreting edna results water column remains 2 μm ). controls edna removal smaller edna particles edna removal rates colonized leaves relative leaf density edna particles water column 2 μm edna removal removal rates results suggest headwater streams uncolonized leaves colonized leaves stream ecosystems steelhead trout significant effect significant difference oncorhynchus mykiss natural systems may assist flowing waters cyprinus carpio critical challenge common carp biological mechanism abiotic conditions Understanding what controls eDNA removal from the water column remains a critical challenge for interpreting eDNA results in flowing waters. Allochthonous organic matter inputs represent an important seasonal change in stream ecosystems. In smaller, headwater streams, leaf litter accumulation and decomposition modify biotic and abiotic conditions that may influence eDNA removal. We conducted experimental releases of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eDNA in recirculating mesocosms to explore how leaf litter density and decomposition stage might influence eDNA removal. We found that leaf density had no significant effect on eDNA removal rates, but removal rates for smaller eDNA particles (0.4–1.2 μm) were 74% higher in mesocosms with biofilm-colonized leaves relative to those with “fresh” leaves. In contrast, we found no significant difference in removal rates between colonized and uncolonized leaves for larger eDNA particles (>1.2 μm). Overall, eDNA removal rates were higher for smaller eDNA particles, particularly in the presence of biofilm-colonized leaves, implying a biological mechanism for eDNA removal from the water column. These results suggest that seasonal leaf litter can affect the fate of eDNA particles and may assist in interpreting eDNA data in natural systems. 2026-10-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 10.1021/acsestwater.6c00683.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Removal_is_Mediated_by_Decomposing_Leaf_Litter_in_Streams_Running_Title_Stream_eDNA_Removal_Mediated_by_Leaf_Litter/34046892 CC BY-NC 4.0