Metabolomic profiles in relation to benchmark polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and trace elements in two seabird species from Arctic Canada

While exposure of birds to oil-related contaminants has been documented, the related adverse effects this exposure has on Arctic marine birds remain unexplored. Metabolomics can play an important role to explore biologically relevant metabolite biomarkers in relation to different stressors, even at benchmark levels of contamination. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolomics profiles in relation to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and trace elements in the liver of two seabird species in the Canadian Arctic. In July 2018, black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) and thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) were collected by hunters from a region where natural oil seeps occur in the seabed near Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada. A total of 121 metabolites were identified in liver tissue samples using reversed phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry platforms to detect non-polar and polar metabolites, respectively. Sixty-nine metabolites showed excellent repeatability and linearity and were used to examine possible effects of oil-related contaminants exposure (PACs and trace elements). Metabolites including 3-hydroxy anthranilic acid, adenine, adenosine, adenosine mono-phosphate, ascorbic acid, butyrylcarnitine, cholic acid, guanosine, guanosine mono-phosphate, inosine, norepinephrine and threonine showed significant differences (more than two fold) between the two species. Elevated adenine and adenosine, along with decreased reduced/ oxidized glutathione ratio, highlighted the potential for oxidative stress in murres. Lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity assays also confirmed these metabolomic findings. These results will help to characterize the baseline metabolomic profiles of Arctic seabird species with different foraging behaviour and trace element burden.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the effects of oil-related contaminants exposure on Arctic seabirds and detect biologically relevant biomarkers through metabolite analysis under different stressor conditions. The results showed significant differences in metabolomics profiles between the two seabird species, suggesting the potential risk of oxidative stress in thick-billed murres.