Long term effects of crude oil on common murres (Uria aalge) following rehabilitation
- Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland, St. Johns (Canada)
Oil spilled or discharged at sea is known to contaminate and cause mortality in seabirds and in some instances, these losses can be substantial as reported recently following an oil spill from the Exxon Valdez in Alaskan waters. Crude petroleum alters the arrangement of the feather barbules causing a loss of buoyancy and hypothermia. Attempts to rehabilitate birds with light to moderate amounts of oil exposure have met with modest success. Following cleaning and release, many of these birds never recovered and little is known of their survival rate in nature subsequently. A number of oiled sea birds, primarily common murres (Uria aalge), were retrieved recently by the Canadian Coast Guard and attempts to rehabilitate them were conducted. Since the majority of birds were retained longer than the usual 4 to 5 days recommended by the Bird Rescue International Centre after retrieval, it soon became apparent that many were suffering from problems other than diet or thermoregulation. Following autopsy/necropsy, extensive organ damage was observed in all of the birds. The purpose of this communication is to report the long term effects of crude oil on common murres.
- OSTI ID:
- 5108868
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; (United States), Vol. 46:2; ISSN 0007-4861
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
ORGANS
HISTOLOGY
PETROLEUM
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIRDS
BRAIN
HEART
KIDNEYS
LIVER
LUNGS
MUSCLES
OIL SPILLS
SPLEEN
ANIMALS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GLANDS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects