Effects of sheens associated with offshore oil and gas development on the feather microstructure of pelagic seabirds / Patrick D. O'Hara, Lora A. Morandin. : NE23-186/2010E-PDF
"Operational discharges of hydrocarbons from maritime activities can have major cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems. Small quantities of oil (i.e., 10 ml) result in often lethally reduced thermoregulation in seabirds. Thin sheens of oil and drilling fluids form around offshore petroleum production structures from currently permissible operational discharges of hydrocarbons. Methodology was developed to measure feather microstructure impacts (Amalgamation Index or AI) associated with sheen exposure. We collected feather samples from two common North Atlantic species of seabirds: Common Murres (Uria aalge) and Dovekies (Alle alle). Impacts were compared after feather exposure to crude oil and synthetic lubricant sheens of varying thicknesses. Feather weight and microstructure changed significantly for both species after exposure to thin sheens of crude oil and synthetic drilling fluids. Thus, seabirds maybe impacted by thin sheens forming around offshore petroleum production facilities from discharged produced water containing currently admissible concentrations of hydrocarbons"--Abstract, p. 2.
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publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.823722&sl=0
| Department/Agency | Canada. National Energy Board. Environmental Studies Research Funds (Canada) |
|---|---|
| Title | Effects of sheens associated with offshore oil and gas development on the feather microstructure of pelagic seabirds / Patrick D. O'Hara, Lora A. Morandin. |
| Variant title | At head of cover title: Environmental Studies Research Funds, related studies |
| Publication type | Monograph |
| Language | [English] |
| Format | Electronic |
| Electronic document | |
| Note(s) | "May 2010." "Related Studies." Includes bibliographical references: (p. 18-21). Includes abstract in French. |
| Publishing information | [Ottawa] : Environmental Studies Research Funds, 2010 |
| Author / Contributor | O'Hara, Patrick D. (Patrick Dennis) 1963- Morandin, Lora A. |
| Description | 29 p. : ill. |
| Catalogue number |
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| Subject terms | Aquatic birds Water pollution Oil spills Offshore drilling feather structure sheen slick hydrocarbon synthetic lubricant gas offshore seabirds |
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