ToxChip PCR Arrays for Two Arctic-Breeding Seabirds: Applications for Regional Environmental Assessments

Yasmeen Zahaby; Pu Xia; Doug Crump; Jennifer F. Provencher; Philippe J. Thomas; Birgit M. Braune; Ryan P. Franckowiak; Michel Gendron; Guy Savard; Sailendra Nath Sarma; Mark L. Mallory; Jason O'Brien

doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c00229

ToxChip PCR Arrays for Two Arctic-Breeding Seabirds: Applications for Regional Environmental Assessments

Yasmeen Zahaby, Pu Xia, Doug Crump, Jennifer F. Provencher^*, Philippe J. Thomas, Birgit M. Braune, Ryan P. Franckowiak, Michel Gendron, Guy Savard, Sailendra Nath Sarma, Mark L. Mallory, Jason O'Brien

^*Corresponding author for this work

Biosciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Increasing pollution in the Arctic poses challenges in terms of geographical and ecological monitoring. The Baffin Bay-Davis Strait (BBDS) region in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is of particular concern due to the potential for increased shipping traffic and oil exploration. However, data on background contaminants associated with oil exploration/spills/natural seeps (e.g., polycyclic aromatic compounds [PAC]) and measures of potential effects for Arctic birds are limited. We developed a toxicogenomics approach to investigate the background gene expression profiles for two Arctic-breeding seabirds, the thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) and the black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), which will aid effects-based monitoring efforts. Chemical burdens (53 PACs and 5 trace elements) and transcriptomic profiles (31 genes using a ToxChip PCR array) were examined in liver tissues (n = 30) of each species collected from the Qaqulluit and Akpait National Wildlife Areas in the BBDS region. While chemical and transcriptomic profiles demonstrated low variability across individuals for each species, gene expression signatures were able to distinguish guillemots collected from two distinct colonies. This toxicogenomics approach provides benchmark data for two Arctic seabirds and is promising for future monitoring efforts and strategic environmental assessments in this sensitive ecosystem and areas elsewhere in the circumpolar Arctic that are undergoing change.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	7521-7530
Number of pages	10
Journal	Environmental Science and Technology
Volume	55
Issue number	11
Early online date	13 May 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c00229
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors are particularly appreciative to the sampling teams, including Jaypootee Aliqatuqtuq, Jonathan Aliqatuqtuq, Harry Alookie, Uluraik Amarualik, Stevie Aulaqiaq, Cody Dey, Catherine Geoffroy, Jaloo Kooneeliusie, Peter Kooneeliusie, and Jeanie Toomasie. Support in Qikiqtarjuaq was provided by the Nattivak Hunter and Trapper Organisation by Alison Kopalie and Members of the Board. Many thanks to Rian Dickson who supported the project through logistics coordination and community consultations. Funding for this work was provided by a network of partnerships that included Environment and Climate Change Canada, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Acadia University, and Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Importantly, the Nattivak HTO and the Sululiit ACMC facilitated efficient payment of guides.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Arctic
Baffin Bay-Davis Strait
black guillemot
thick-billed murre

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry

Access to Document

10.1021/acs.est.1c00229

Cite this

Zahaby, Y., Xia, P., Crump, D., Provencher, J. F., Thomas, P. J., Braune, B. M., Franckowiak, R. P., Gendron, M., Savard, G., Sarma, S. N., Mallory, M. L., & O'Brien, J. (2021). ToxChip PCR Arrays for Two Arctic-Breeding Seabirds: Applications for Regional Environmental Assessments. Environmental Science and Technology, 55(11), 7521-7530. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c00229

@article{9d387170643c477a8ccaaa2e09b3b99b,

title = "ToxChip PCR Arrays for Two Arctic-Breeding Seabirds: Applications for Regional Environmental Assessments",

abstract = "Increasing pollution in the Arctic poses challenges in terms of geographical and ecological monitoring. The Baffin Bay-Davis Strait (BBDS) region in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is of particular concern due to the potential for increased shipping traffic and oil exploration. However, data on background contaminants associated with oil exploration/spills/natural seeps (e.g., polycyclic aromatic compounds [PAC]) and measures of potential effects for Arctic birds are limited. We developed a toxicogenomics approach to investigate the background gene expression profiles for two Arctic-breeding seabirds, the thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) and the black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), which will aid effects-based monitoring efforts. Chemical burdens (53 PACs and 5 trace elements) and transcriptomic profiles (31 genes using a ToxChip PCR array) were examined in liver tissues (n = 30) of each species collected from the Qaqulluit and Akpait National Wildlife Areas in the BBDS region. While chemical and transcriptomic profiles demonstrated low variability across individuals for each species, gene expression signatures were able to distinguish guillemots collected from two distinct colonies. This toxicogenomics approach provides benchmark data for two Arctic seabirds and is promising for future monitoring efforts and strategic environmental assessments in this sensitive ecosystem and areas elsewhere in the circumpolar Arctic that are undergoing change.",

keywords = "Arctic, Baffin Bay-Davis Strait, black guillemot, thick-billed murre",

author = "Yasmeen Zahaby and Pu Xia and Doug Crump and Provencher, {Jennifer F.} and Thomas, {Philippe J.} and Braune, {Birgit M.} and Franckowiak, {Ryan P.} and Michel Gendron and Guy Savard and Sarma, {Sailendra Nath} and Mallory, {Mark L.} and Jason O'Brien",

note = "Funding Information: The authors are particularly appreciative to the sampling teams, including Jaypootee Aliqatuqtuq, Jonathan Aliqatuqtuq, Harry Alookie, Uluraik Amarualik, Stevie Aulaqiaq, Cody Dey, Catherine Geoffroy, Jaloo Kooneeliusie, Peter Kooneeliusie, and Jeanie Toomasie. Support in Qikiqtarjuaq was provided by the Nattivak Hunter and Trapper Organisation by Alison Kopalie and Members of the Board. Many thanks to Rian Dickson who supported the project through logistics coordination and community consultations. Funding for this work was provided by a network of partnerships that included Environment and Climate Change Canada, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Acadia University, and Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Importantly, the Nattivak HTO and the Sululiit ACMC facilitated efficient payment of guides. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.",

year = "2021",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1021/acs.est.1c00229",

language = "English",

volume = "55",

pages = "7521--7530",

journal = "Environmental Science and Technology",

issn = "0013-936X",

publisher = "American Chemical Society",

number = "11",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - ToxChip PCR Arrays for Two Arctic-Breeding Seabirds

T2 - Applications for Regional Environmental Assessments

AU - Zahaby, Yasmeen

AU - Xia, Pu

AU - Crump, Doug

AU - Provencher, Jennifer F.

AU - Thomas, Philippe J.

AU - Braune, Birgit M.

AU - Franckowiak, Ryan P.

AU - Gendron, Michel

AU - Savard, Guy

AU - Sarma, Sailendra Nath

AU - Mallory, Mark L.

AU - O'Brien, Jason

N1 - Funding Information: The authors are particularly appreciative to the sampling teams, including Jaypootee Aliqatuqtuq, Jonathan Aliqatuqtuq, Harry Alookie, Uluraik Amarualik, Stevie Aulaqiaq, Cody Dey, Catherine Geoffroy, Jaloo Kooneeliusie, Peter Kooneeliusie, and Jeanie Toomasie. Support in Qikiqtarjuaq was provided by the Nattivak Hunter and Trapper Organisation by Alison Kopalie and Members of the Board. Many thanks to Rian Dickson who supported the project through logistics coordination and community consultations. Funding for this work was provided by a network of partnerships that included Environment and Climate Change Canada, Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Acadia University, and Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Importantly, the Nattivak HTO and the Sululiit ACMC facilitated efficient payment of guides. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

PY - 2021/6/1

Y1 - 2021/6/1

N2 - Increasing pollution in the Arctic poses challenges in terms of geographical and ecological monitoring. The Baffin Bay-Davis Strait (BBDS) region in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is of particular concern due to the potential for increased shipping traffic and oil exploration. However, data on background contaminants associated with oil exploration/spills/natural seeps (e.g., polycyclic aromatic compounds [PAC]) and measures of potential effects for Arctic birds are limited. We developed a toxicogenomics approach to investigate the background gene expression profiles for two Arctic-breeding seabirds, the thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) and the black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), which will aid effects-based monitoring efforts. Chemical burdens (53 PACs and 5 trace elements) and transcriptomic profiles (31 genes using a ToxChip PCR array) were examined in liver tissues (n = 30) of each species collected from the Qaqulluit and Akpait National Wildlife Areas in the BBDS region. While chemical and transcriptomic profiles demonstrated low variability across individuals for each species, gene expression signatures were able to distinguish guillemots collected from two distinct colonies. This toxicogenomics approach provides benchmark data for two Arctic seabirds and is promising for future monitoring efforts and strategic environmental assessments in this sensitive ecosystem and areas elsewhere in the circumpolar Arctic that are undergoing change.

AB - Increasing pollution in the Arctic poses challenges in terms of geographical and ecological monitoring. The Baffin Bay-Davis Strait (BBDS) region in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is of particular concern due to the potential for increased shipping traffic and oil exploration. However, data on background contaminants associated with oil exploration/spills/natural seeps (e.g., polycyclic aromatic compounds [PAC]) and measures of potential effects for Arctic birds are limited. We developed a toxicogenomics approach to investigate the background gene expression profiles for two Arctic-breeding seabirds, the thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) and the black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), which will aid effects-based monitoring efforts. Chemical burdens (53 PACs and 5 trace elements) and transcriptomic profiles (31 genes using a ToxChip PCR array) were examined in liver tissues (n = 30) of each species collected from the Qaqulluit and Akpait National Wildlife Areas in the BBDS region. While chemical and transcriptomic profiles demonstrated low variability across individuals for each species, gene expression signatures were able to distinguish guillemots collected from two distinct colonies. This toxicogenomics approach provides benchmark data for two Arctic seabirds and is promising for future monitoring efforts and strategic environmental assessments in this sensitive ecosystem and areas elsewhere in the circumpolar Arctic that are undergoing change.

KW - Arctic

KW - Baffin Bay-Davis Strait

KW - black guillemot

KW - thick-billed murre

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85106454851&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1021/acs.est.1c00229

DO - 10.1021/acs.est.1c00229

M3 - Article

C2 - 33983718

AN - SCOPUS:85106454851

SN - 0013-936X

VL - 55

SP - 7521

EP - 7530

JO - Environmental Science and Technology

JF - Environmental Science and Technology

IS - 11

ER -

ToxChip PCR Arrays for Two Arctic-Breeding Seabirds: Applications for Regional Environmental Assessments

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this