Volunteers search Minnesota lakes for zebra mussel DNA

Pulling on a pair of rubber gloves, Carrie Ruud waded into Clear Lake with a plastic bottle and a mission: search for the DNA of zebra mussels, the invasive pest that’s infested lakes across Minnesota.

Back on shore, Ruud pumped the water she collected through a filter. Using tweezers, she carefully placed the filter membrane into an envelope to send to the University of Minnesota where researchers will examine the sample for genetic residue that might signal the presence of zebra mussels.

“Pretty cool, isn’t it, what we’ve come to with our science?” she said. “I’m excited.”

Ruud and dozens of volunteers this summer collected samples of environmental DNA, known as eDNA, using test kits created by the U’s Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center. It’s a novel approach that’s brought citizens and scientists together to fight invasives, and could eventually make it easier for Minnesotans to police...