Multi-omic analysis of contaminated sediments from Contrecoeur, QC on Planorbid snails

Abstract

Contrecoeur’s history of industrial development resulted in sediment contamination (by butyltins, heavy metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons), which can be harmful to aquatic and benthic life. Additionally, future development threatens to further exacerbate the contamination in the area. This study examines the effect of Contrecoeur’s contaminated sediment and increased water temperature on Planorbid snails’ survival, growth, reproductive output, metabolomic profile, and proteomic profile. A two-week in-situ exposure was performed on Helisoma trivolvis, and a 28-d laboratory exposure of Planorbella pilsbryi to the same sediments was completed. Snail tissue samples were collected for proteomic and metabolomic analysis. Sediment contamination caused mortality and affected the insulin signaling and the transsulfuration pathways. Thermal stress increased the effect of ammonia through urea metabolites and affected the abundances of guanidinoacetate, creatine, and creatinine. The other effects (on DNA translation and transcription, on energy metabolism, and on key biomarker proteins) cannot be attributed specifically to one stressor.