Metabolomics for connecting exposure and effect in Mussel Watch

Session: 15. - Environmental 'omics: New Tools for Aquatic Ecosystem Science and Management

Bharat Chandramouli, SGS AXYS, [email protected]
Heather Butler, SGS AXYS, [email protected]
Ed Johnson, NOAA, [email protected]
Erik Davenport, NOAA, [email protected]
Marc Mills, USEPA , [email protected]

Abstract

The Mussel Watch Program (MWP) has used bivalves to monitor contaminant levels and environmental health since 1986. Bivalves, as generally immobile filter feeders that bioaccumulate contaminants, can serve as sentinel markers of both exposure and effect. The ability to observe bivalve metabolite profiles distinct to geographical locations and to combine this information with contaminant data provides a powerful tool to monitor this environment and to understand the biological impact of environmental changes. We analyzed the metabolomes of caged dresissenid mussels and clams at several great lakes sites including the Rouge, Detroit, and Maumee rivers (2016) and in the Milwaukee river (2017). A targeted metabolomics approach measured the concentrations of 222 metabolites including amino acids, biogenic amines, lipids, fatty acids, hexose and metabolites associated with energy pathways. Contaminant data for a large set of persistent organic pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern was also measured in mussels, and in the surface water. Multivariate and correlational statistical analyses were performed on the data to identify relationships between geographical sites and timepoints. Results from 2016 indicate that metabolite profiles could successfully reflect distinct site and species differences, and correlation analysis identified 94 contaminant measurements that correlated with 125 metabolites (|r|>0.8.  

1. Keyword
environmental effects

2. Keyword
environmental contaminants

3. Keyword
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

4. Additional Keyword
Metabolomics

5. Additional Keyword
Bivalve