title: Effects of oil and oil burn residues on seabird feathers.
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.
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. Electronic address: jfr@bios.au.dk.
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fritt-Rasmussen
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jannie Fries
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Linnebjerg
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Civil Engineering, Brovej, Building 118, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Martin X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Civil Engineering, Brovej, Building 118, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nicholas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Brogaard
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Frank F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Rigét
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Paneeraq
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.affiliation: Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Civil Engineering, Brovej, Building 118, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Grunde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jomaas
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Boertmann
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Susse
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wegeberg
authors.affiliation: Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gustavson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes; D001110:Arctic Regions; D005241:Feathers / Q000737:chemistry*; D059392:Petroleum Pollution
keywords: Burn residues; Damage; Feathers; In situ burning; Oil spill; Seabirds