SEDL / STP / STP693-EB / STP35990S

Physiological Techniques for Assessing the Impact of Oil on Seabirds

Peakall, DB
Chief, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa,

Miller, DS
Research scientist, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Me

Kinter, WB
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, Me

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1979

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Abstract

Physiological changes seen when oil is ingested by seabirds are considered as a tool to assess the role of oil in seabird “wrecks.” The effects of oil include an increase of the percent weight of adrenals and nasal glands, decrease in uptake of nutrients in the intestine, and a transient rise in plasma sodium and cortico-sterone levels.