Ecotoxicological links between trace elements, fatty acids, and oxidative stress in atlantic and mediterranean shearwaters.

Elevated levels of non-essential trace elements like As, Hg, Ni, and Ti are linked to oxidative stress and altered fatty acid profiles in Atlantic and Mediterranean shearwaters, indicating site-specific contamination.

• Why it matters: Understanding how trace elements impact seabird health is crucial because these contaminants can disrupt oxidative balance and threaten marine ecosystem stability, yet their effects on fatty acids and oxidative biomarkers remain underexplored.
• What they did: The study analyzed blood samples from shearwaters across three colonies, measuring 15 trace elements, oxidative damage biomarkers, and fatty acid signatures to identify spatial variations and associations.
• The result: Findings reveal that higher concentrations of certain trace elements correlate with decreased omega-3 fatty acids and increased saturated fats, suggesting physiological stress and adaptive responses, which inform conservation and pollution mitigation efforts.