Assessing diatom-mediated fatty acids in intertidal biofilm: a new conservation concern

Biofilm communities on intertidal mudflats are recognized as major producers of nutrients, especially fatty acids. The rising threats posed by both climatic and anthropogenic stressors increase the necessity of understanding and conserving these communities. Shorebirds provide a proxy for studying t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental systems research 2021-05, Vol.10 (1), p.1-12, Article 30
Main Authors: Ollinik, Jessica E., Chua, Candice C., Brunswick, Pamela, Elner, Robert W., Blajkevitch, Oxana, Kim, Marcus, van Aggelen, Graham, Drever, Mark C., Shang, Dayue
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical methods
Anthropogenic factors
Aquatic birds
Aquatic environment
Biofilm
Biofilms
Birds
Chromatography
Climate change
Design of experiments
Diatomaceous earth
Diatoms
Earth and Environmental Science
Environment
Experimental design
Fatty acids
Flame ionization
Fourier analysis
Fourier transforms
Gas chromatography
Infrared spectroscopy
Ionization
Laboratories
Liquid chromatography
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectroscopy
Migratory birds
Migratory shorebirds
Monitoring/Environmental Analysis
Mud flats
Mudflats
Nutrients
Quadrupoles
Review
Sampling
Scientific imaging
Water Management in a Changing Climate
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Summary:Biofilm communities on intertidal mudflats are recognized as major producers of nutrients, especially fatty acids. The rising threats posed by both climatic and anthropogenic stressors increase the necessity of understanding and conserving these communities. Shorebirds provide a proxy for studying the complex ecology of biofilm communities because of their heavy reliance on fatty acids from diatomaceous biofilm for successful long-distance migration. Herein, we review biofilm feeding patterns by migratory shorebirds, experimental design considerations for sampling and studying the fatty acid content of biofilm, and the literature describing established and emerging analytical methodology. Techniques for fatty acid analysis include the commonly employed gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC/FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with derivatization. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and liquid chromatography–quadrupole time of flight (LC/QTOF) are newly emerging techniques that enable derivatization to be eliminated. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR), a common instrument in chemistry laboratories, has applications in fatty acid research, specifically for screening. Using a combination of sampling and analytical methods is necessary for improved understanding of intertidal biofilm, both as a source of essential fatty acids in aquatic systems and a critical food for shorebirds.
ISSN:2193-2697
2193-2697
DOI:10.1186/s40068-021-00236-2