Evaluating cleansing effects on trace elements and stable isotope values in feathers of oiled birds

摘要: Feathers of seabirds are widely used as a nondestructive tissue for pollution monitoring trace elements, well convenient samples trophic ecology studies by means stable isotope analysis (SIA). Nevertheless, feathers can be occasionally impregnated with oil from deliberate ship discharges and massive spill accidents. The feather structure makes them effective traps particles subject to external contamination. It is unknown what extent the adhered change element concentrations or signatures. This study has two primary objectives: (1) assess if there differences between signatures oiled clean feathers, (2) determine cleansing using commonly applied techniques such sodium hydroxide (NaOH) washes in combination an organic solvent (hexane) more than NaOH alone. In order do this, we analysed elements (Se, Hg, Pb, Cu Zn) isotopes (delta(13)C delta(15)N) individual yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) which were affected 2002 Prestige Galicia (NW Spain). Two sets analysed, one group oil-free (Control group) other had its surface (Oiled group). We expected find control when cleaning exclusively no hexane. Our results did not show significant Control Oiled groups consequence method used. Unexpectedly, additional hexane resulted decreasing selenium increasing zinc delta(15)N values all feathers.