1 research outputs found
Untargeted Metabolomics Analyses and Contaminant Chemistry of Dreissenid Mussels at the Maumee River Area of Concern in the Great Lakes
Bivalves serve as an ideal ecological indicator; hence,
their use
by the NOAA Mussel Watch Program to monitor environmental health.
This study aimed to expand the baseline knowledge of using metabolic
end points in environmental monitoring by investigating the dreissenid
mussel metabolome in the field. Dreissenids were caged at four locations
along the Maumee River for 30 days. The mussel metabolome was measured
using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mussel tissue chemical
contaminants were analyzed using gas or liquid chromatography coupled
with mass spectrometry. All Maumee River sites had a distinct mussel
metabolome compared to the reference site and revealed changes in
the energy metabolism and amino acids. Data also highlighted the importance
of considering seasonality or handling effects on the metabolome at
the time of sampling. The furthest upstream site presented a specific
mussel tissue chemical signature of pesticides (atrazine and metolachlor),
while a downstream site, located at Toledo’s wastewater treatment
plant, was characterized by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other
organic contaminants. Further research into the dreissenid mussel’s
natural metabolic cycle and metabolic response to specific anthropogenic
stressors is necessary before successful implementation of metabolomics
in a biomonitoring program