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Pathology of Common Murres and Cassin's Auklets exposed to oil

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Abstract

The histopathology of diving seabirds exposed to oil is described. Cassins Auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) were experimentally exposed to weathered Santa Barbara Channel (CA) crude oil by external application to the breast plumage or wings. Beached Common Murres (Uria aalge) were recovered from an accidental oil spill of bunker C fuel oil. Exposed birds exhibited hepatocellular dissociation and hemosiderosis, renal tubular necrosis, and hemolytic anemia. Both unexposed and exposed birds exhibited numerous gastrointestinal lesions and parasites making interpretation of oil damage effects to the gastrointestinal system difficult. Burrow nesting auklets had a high incidence of pneumoconiosis while cliff nesting murres had no particulate inclusions on lungs. The results describe the extent of pathology to be expected in wild, free living seabirds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Avian Sciences and Veterinary Pathology, University of California, 95616, Davis, California

    D. Michael Fry & Linda J. Lowenstine

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  1. D. Michael Fry
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  2. Linda J. Lowenstine
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Fry, D.M., Lowenstine, L.J. Pathology of Common Murres and Cassin's Auklets exposed to oil. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 14, 725–737 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055780

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055780

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