AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALLY DISPERSED OIL ON FEATHER STRUCTURE AND WATERPROOFING IN COMMON MURRES (<i>URIA AALGE</i>)

Whitmer, Emily R.; Elias, Becky A.; Harvey, Danielle; Ziccardi, Michael H.

doi:10.7589/2017-01-016

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Marine birds will preen in an attempt to restore the physical structure and waterproofing function of oil-contaminated feathers by realigning hooks and barbules in the feathers (O'Hara and Morandin 2010;Stephenson 1997). However, exposure to chemically dispersed oil has been found to result in similar disruption to maintaining feather integrity (Whitmer et al 2018;Duerr et al 2011). Whitmer et al (2018) conducted a study to evaluate the effects of dispersants and crude oil on the waterproofing of live Common murres (Uria aalge) during a simulated dive through contaminated water.…”

Section: Physical Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, exposure to chemically dispersed oil has been found to result in similar disruption to maintaining feather integrity (Whitmer et al 2018;Duerr et al 2011). Whitmer et al (2018) conducted a study to evaluate the effects of dispersants and crude oil on the waterproofing of live Common murres (Uria aalge) during a simulated dive through contaminated water. Treatments of increasing contaminant concentrations included a control, dispersant only, and a mixture of Corexit® EC9500A and Prudhoe Bay Crude Oil (PBCO) at an industry standard ratio of 1:20.…”

Section: Physical Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since then, little has been published until the 2010s, with the notable exception of Jensen & Ekker (1991). Data from three recent papers (Duerr et al 2011, Fiorello et al 2016, Whitmer et al 2018 indicate concerns or caveats that should be considered when deciding whether or not to deploy dispersants. Many of the remaining papers identified by the two search engines were policy oriented or model based, with the explicit yet often unsubstantiated assumption that dispersant use is beneficial to marine birds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With minimal progress made in the intervening years (within the US and globally), the NRC reiterated its recommendations in 2005 to increase research efforts on the effects of dispersants to marine birds (NRC 2005). Since then, research efforts have focused elsewhere, and extensive information gaps remain (NASEM 2019; Whitmer et al 2018). This review identifies the known and potential impacts of dispersant use to marine birds, on both an individual physiological and toxicological level as well as the local population and integrated ecosystem level.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of oil spill dispersant use on marine birds: a review of scientific literature and identification of information gaps

Osborne¹,

Willie

O’Hara

2022

Environ. Rev.

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Dispersants, a class of chemical spill-treating agents used to treat oil spills, are commonly used globally as an alternative response measure. Applying dispersants to an oil slick, shortly after the spill has occurred, can protect shoreline environments and sea surface-dwelling animals, such as some marine bird species, limiting individuals or local populations from the consequences of coming into contact with large quantities of oil. However, this benefit comes with the cost of increasing oil exposure risk to marine biota that spend time in the water column. It is generally believed that the benefits of dispersant use outweigh the costs under most circumstances. However, it is rarely acknowledged that the use of dispersants may have negative impacts on marine biota at the individual or local population level, including marine birds. In Canada, Corexit EC9500A, a regulated dispersant, is being proposed for expanded use beyond treating spills from an offshore oil and gas facility. To understand what the potential impacts from dispersant use are to marine birds, we conducted a literature review to identify the direct and indirect effects of their use. We also provide oil spill responders with a Pathway of Effects conceptual model, a tool for understanding the interactions between dispersants, marine birds, and their environment in order to support a holistic consideration as part of the oil spill response decision-making process. Fundamental uncertainties remain, however, and if left unaccounted for in the decision-making process, they may compromise the appropriateness of spill response approaches and outcomes. We recommend that oil spill responders incorporate the known benefits and costs of dispersant use on marine birds into a decision-making framework such as a Net Environmental Benefits Analyses (NEBA) and with consideration of the Pathway of Effects concept models provided. These recommendations are particularly relevant where a decision-making framework such as NEBA is becoming a more standardized component of the response process. Additionally, greater investment in lab and field-based research, and field observations through monitoring, is required to address existing decision-making uncertainties and provide information gap closure.

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Section: Physical Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Physical Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effects of oil spill dispersant use on marine birds: a review of scientific literature and identification of information gaps

Osborne¹,

Willie

O’Hara

2022

Environ. Rev.

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“…Water surface tension is key to the phenomenon of waterproofing in feathers, because the physical mechanism of waterproofing relies on droplet formation (Stephenson and Andrews 1997). Oils reduce the surface tension of water, and so when birds encounter oil in their environment, their waterproofing can be seriously compromised (Whitmer et al 2018). When oiled, droplets fail to form on top of the feather, which inhibits both thermoregulation and buoyancy.…”

Section: Waterproofingmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Multifunctionality of Feathers and the Evolution of BIrds

Terrill¹,

Shultz²

2021

Preprint

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The ability feathers have to perform many functions simultaneously and at different times is integral to the evolutionary history of all birds. Many studies focus on single functions of feathers; but any given feather performs many functions over its lifetime. Here, we review the known functions of feathers and discuss the interactions of these functions with avian evolution. Recent years have seen an increase in research on the evolution and development of feather functions because of an increase in high quality fossils with preserved feathers, new tools for understanding genetic mechanisms of feather development, new tools for measuring and analyzing feather color, availability of phylogenies and phylogenetic comparative methods, and an increase in interest in feather molt. Here, we aim to review how feather functions interact with avian evolution, with a focus on recent technological and discovery-based advances. By synthesizing research into feather functions over hierarchical scales, we aim to provide a broad context for how the adaptability and multifunctionality of feathers have allowed birds to diversify into the astounding array of environments and life-history strategies. Overall, we suggest research into avian evolution that involves feather function in any way should consider all aspects of a feathers’ functionality, including multiple functions, molt patterns, ecological/mechanical interactions, and feather wear over time. With this more holistic view, processes such as the evolution of avian coloration and flight can be understood in a broader and more nuanced context.

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Oil Vulnerability Index, Impact on Arctic Bird Populations (Proposing a Method for Calculating an Oil Vulnerability Index for the Arctic Seabirds)

O’Hanlon

Bond

James

et al. 2020

Arctic Marine Sustainability

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AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALLY DISPERSED OIL ON FEATHER STRUCTURE AND WATERPROOFING IN COMMON MURRES (URIA AALGE)

Cited by 11 publications

References 22 publications

The effects of oil spill dispersant use on marine birds: a review of scientific literature and identification of information gaps

The effects of oil spill dispersant use on marine birds: a review of scientific literature and identification of information gaps

On the Multifunctionality of Feathers and the Evolution of BIrds

Oil Vulnerability Index, Impact on Arctic Bird Populations (Proposing a Method for Calculating an Oil Vulnerability Index for the Arctic Seabirds)

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