Hidden in the water is a wealth of genetic information. Jenny Whilde, CC BY-ND The DNA in a single cup of water can track wildlife, monitor pollution and survey pathogens in waterways and their surroundings, all at the same time. DNA is contained in each cell of every plant, animal, fungus and microbe. It carries the genetic instructions needed for an organism’s survival, growth and function, and the DNA of each species is unique. Organisms shed DNA into their environments. This environmental D