Effects of chemical dispersants on feathers from Arctic seabirds

Janne Fritt-Rasmussen; Jannie Fries Linnebjerg; Tor Nordam; Frank F Rigét; Paneeraq Kristensen; Jørgen Skancke; Susse Wegeberg; Anders Mosbech; Kim Gustavson

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114659

Effects of chemical dispersants on feathers from Arctic seabirds

Janne Fritt-Rasmussen^*, Jannie Fries Linnebjerg, Tor Nordam, Frank F Rigét, Paneeraq Kristensen, Jørgen Skancke, Susse Wegeberg, Anders Mosbech, Kim Gustavson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

Chemical dispersion is an oil spill response strategy where dispersants are sprayed onto the oil slick to enhance oil dispersion into the water. However, accidental application could expose seabirds to dispersants, thereby negatively affecting their plumage. To understand the possible impacts on seabirds, feathers from common eider (Somateria mollissima) and thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) were exposed to different dosages of the dispersant Dasic Slickgone NS. For all exposure dosages the feathers increased in weight, and mostly for common eider. Analysing the feather microstructure, e.g., the Amalgamation Index, showed that larger damages were found on thick-billed murre than common eider. A no-sinking limit was established at 0.109 ml/m 2. Relating this value to desktop simulations of potential sea-surface dosages in real-life situations, and to published accounts of response operations, showed that the limit is likely to be exceeded. Thus, our results show that chemical dispersants in realistic dosages could impact seabirds.

Original language	English
Article number	114659
Journal	Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume	188
ISSN	0025-326X
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114659
Publication status	Published - Mar 2023

Keywords

Amalgamation Index
Common eider
Environmental effects
Oil spill response
Thick-billed murre

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10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114659Licence: CC BY

1-s2.0-S0025326X23000905-mainFinal published version, 4.62 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Effects of chemical dispersants on feathers from Arctic seabirds",

abstract = "Chemical dispersion is an oil spill response strategy where dispersants are sprayed onto the oil slick to enhance oil dispersion into the water. However, accidental application could expose seabirds to dispersants, thereby negatively affecting their plumage. To understand the possible impacts on seabirds, feathers from common eider (Somateria mollissima) and thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) were exposed to different dosages of the dispersant Dasic Slickgone NS. For all exposure dosages the feathers increased in weight, and mostly for common eider. Analysing the feather microstructure, e.g., the Amalgamation Index, showed that larger damages were found on thick-billed murre than common eider. A no-sinking limit was established at 0.109 ml/m 2. Relating this value to desktop simulations of potential sea-surface dosages in real-life situations, and to published accounts of response operations, showed that the limit is likely to be exceeded. Thus, our results show that chemical dispersants in realistic dosages could impact seabirds. ",

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author = "Janne Fritt-Rasmussen and Linnebjerg, {Jannie Fries} and Tor Nordam and Rig{\'e}t, {Frank F} and Paneeraq Kristensen and J{\o}rgen Skancke and Susse Wegeberg and Anders Mosbech and Kim Gustavson",

year = "2023",

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doi = "10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114659",

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T1 - Effects of chemical dispersants on feathers from Arctic seabirds

AU - Fritt-Rasmussen, Janne

AU - Linnebjerg, Jannie Fries

AU - Nordam, Tor

AU - Rigét, Frank F

AU - Kristensen, Paneeraq

AU - Skancke, Jørgen

AU - Wegeberg, Susse

AU - Mosbech, Anders

AU - Gustavson, Kim

PY - 2023/3

Y1 - 2023/3

N2 - Chemical dispersion is an oil spill response strategy where dispersants are sprayed onto the oil slick to enhance oil dispersion into the water. However, accidental application could expose seabirds to dispersants, thereby negatively affecting their plumage. To understand the possible impacts on seabirds, feathers from common eider (Somateria mollissima) and thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) were exposed to different dosages of the dispersant Dasic Slickgone NS. For all exposure dosages the feathers increased in weight, and mostly for common eider. Analysing the feather microstructure, e.g., the Amalgamation Index, showed that larger damages were found on thick-billed murre than common eider. A no-sinking limit was established at 0.109 ml/m 2. Relating this value to desktop simulations of potential sea-surface dosages in real-life situations, and to published accounts of response operations, showed that the limit is likely to be exceeded. Thus, our results show that chemical dispersants in realistic dosages could impact seabirds.

AB - Chemical dispersion is an oil spill response strategy where dispersants are sprayed onto the oil slick to enhance oil dispersion into the water. However, accidental application could expose seabirds to dispersants, thereby negatively affecting their plumage. To understand the possible impacts on seabirds, feathers from common eider (Somateria mollissima) and thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) were exposed to different dosages of the dispersant Dasic Slickgone NS. For all exposure dosages the feathers increased in weight, and mostly for common eider. Analysing the feather microstructure, e.g., the Amalgamation Index, showed that larger damages were found on thick-billed murre than common eider. A no-sinking limit was established at 0.109 ml/m 2. Relating this value to desktop simulations of potential sea-surface dosages in real-life situations, and to published accounts of response operations, showed that the limit is likely to be exceeded. Thus, our results show that chemical dispersants in realistic dosages could impact seabirds.

KW - Amalgamation Index

KW - Common eider

KW - Environmental effects

KW - Oil spill response

KW - Thick-billed murre

U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114659

DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114659

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 36738727

SN - 0025-326X

VL - 188

JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin

JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin

M1 - 114659

ER -

Effects of chemical dispersants on feathers from Arctic seabirds

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Keywords

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