Data and Scripts for Tulloch et al (2025) - Airborne eDNA signal persistence

This dataset accompanies the study "Persistence of simulated airborne eDNA across capture materials and environmental conditions". The experiment assessed how environmental conditions (temperature, light exposure) and collection substrates influence the persistence and detectability of airborne environmental DNA (eDNA). Over a 180-day controlled laboratory trial, pork meat meal was used as a vertebrate DNA proxy, applied to a range of dry and liquid substrates. Samples were incubated under ambient (23 °C) and elevated (40 °C) temperatures with three light exposure levels.

Data types included:

Raw qPCR data: Cp and Ct from triplicate amplifications across all timepoints, materials, and environmental treatments.

Inhibition data: Percent signal reduction from inhibition tests across substrate types.

Environmental data: Continuous temperature and humidity readings from incubators, and periodic UV irradiance measurements.

R script: Annotated analysis script used to model DNA degradation, perform statistical tests, generate plots, and prepare publication figures.