High matrix interference affecting detection of PAH metabolites in bile of Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) used for biomonitoring of deep-water oil production

• Published in: Marine Environmental Research
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2012
• Subjects: Atlantic hagfish; Myxine glutinosa; bile fluorescence; PAH; biomonitoring; Barents Sea; Norway
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2262/63614; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.04.006

Abstract The characteristic biology and wide distribution of hagfish species makes them relevant for use in pollution biomonitoring at great water depths, particularly in regions where deep-water oil exploration may take place. The exposure of fish to petrogenic contaminants can normally be detected from the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in bile fluid. Some of these metabolites are strong fluorophores, allowing analytical detection by means of simple fluorometric techniques such as fixed wavelength fluorescence (FF) and synchronous fluorescence scanning (SFS). In the present study bile from Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) collected in pristine areas (Barents Sea and southwestern Norway) displayed strong bile fluorescence levels, suggesting the presence of PAH contaminants. However, gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses ruled out PAHs as the origin for this fluorescence signal. Rather, the bile of Myxine contains components resulting in unusually strong background fluorescence interfering at the wavelength pairs used for detection of PAH metabolites. Possible background for the observed matrix interference and implications for detection of PAH metabolites in hagfish is discussed. correspondence: Corresponding author:, Magne O. Sydnes, International Research Institute of Stavanger, P.O. Box 8046, N-4068, Stavanger, Norway, Tel [phone], Fax [phone]. (Sydnes, Magne O.) [e-mail] (Sydnes, Magne O.) IRIS - International Research Institute of Stavanger - P.O. Box 8046--> , N-4068--> , Stavanger--> - NORWAY (Sundt, Rolf C.) IRIS - International Research Institute of Stavanger - P.O. Box 8046--> , N-4068--> , Stavanger--> - NORWAY (Beyer, Jonny) University of Stavanger - N-4036 Stavanger--> - NORWAY (Beyer, Jonny) IRIS - International Research Institute of Stavanger - P.O. Box 8046--> , N-4068--> , Stavanger--> - NORWAY (Vingen, Sjur) IRIS - International Research Institute of Stavanger - P.O. Box 8046--> , N-4068--> , Stavanger--> - NORWAY (Sydnes, Magne O.) NORWAY (Sydnes, Magne O.) NORWAY Received: 2011-02-11 Revised: 2011-04-19 Accepted: 2011-04-25