1. Effects of oil and oil burn residues on seabird feathers
- Author
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Paneeraq Kristensen, Jannie F. Linnebjerg, Nicholas L. Brogaard, Frank F Rigét, Grunde Jomaas, Susse Wegeberg, Martin X. Sørensen, David Boertmann, Kim Gustavson, and Janne Fritt-Rasmussen
- Subjects
animal structures ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Burn residues ,010501 environmental sciences ,Aquatic Science ,Oceanography ,01 natural sciences ,Petroleum Pollution ,biology.animal ,Anseriformes ,Animals ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,biology ,Ecology ,Arctic Regions ,fungi ,Oil spill ,Feathers ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,The arctic ,Eider ,Seabirds ,Damage ,Work exposure ,Plumage ,Environmental chemistry ,Feather ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Environmental science ,Seabird ,In situ burning - Abstract
It is well known, that in case of oil spill, seabirds are among the groups of animals most vulnerable. Even small amounts of oil can have lethal effects by destroying the waterproofing of their plumage, leading to loss of insulation and buoyancy. In the Arctic these impacts are intensified. To protect seabirds, a rapid removal of oil is crucial and in situ burning could be an efficient method. In the present work exposure effects of oil and burn residue in different doses was studied on seabird feathers from legally hunted Common eider (Somateria mollissima) by examining changes in total weight of the feather and damages on the microstructure (Amalgamation Index) of the feathers before and after exposure. The results of the experiments indicate that burn residues from in situ burning of an oil spill have similar or larger fouling and damaging effects on seabird feathers, as compared to fresh oil.
- Published
- 2016
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