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USEARCH v11

OTU QC: Contaminants

See also
  Quality control for OTU sequences

Contamint species can be introduced into your samples at every stage in the experimental protocol from sample collection to sequencing (e.g., residue on the flow-cell).

Detecting contaminants is difficult / impossible except in control samples e.g., distilled water, or a mock community. Control samples can be used to detect contaminants introduced in the stages from library preparation to sequencing. Note that cross-talk can also cause unexpected sequences in a control sample.