Seabird substance 'identified'

6 February 2013 Last updated at 08:14 ET

A substance which has been covering birds on the south coast is an oil additive, a university has said.

The substance - found on seabirds off the south coast of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, and up to West Sussex - has caused burning to birds.

Plymouth University said it was a form of polyisobutene, which was used as a lubricating additive in oils to improve performance.

It added it was informing the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the RSPCA.

Congealed on feathers

The substance was identified after analysis of a guillemot.

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Guide to UK seabirds

• Guillemots (pictured) are the most common seabird found around the British Isles
• During spring they gather in huge breeding colonies, known as loomeries, on coastal cliffs and rock stacks
• The females lay their eggs directly on a ledge - but the eggs' conical shape prevent them rolling off
• By contrast, puffins raise a single puffin chick (puffling) in an underground burrow

Source: BBC Nature

Chemical analyst Professor Steve Rowland, of the university's Centre for Chemical Sciences, said all the data it had gathered supported the conclusion.

He said: "It's very sticky and semi-solid, hence its acting on birds' feathers like a glue.

He added that it was also "difficult to biodegrade".

"It's quite big as a molecule, and quite difficult for bacteria and other weathering processes.

"Residues will probably stay around in the environment for some time, though hopefully not in this large mass that pollutes the birds."

He said he was aware of only one other incident of the "relatively common" substance being spilled in 1994.

The pollutant has affected hundreds of seabirds washed up since last week.

Birds have been found with the substance congealed on their feathers, reducing their waterproof coating and ability to stay warm and afloat at sea.

Dorset Wildlife Trust said the oil was "potentially harmful" to humans, although no injuries have yet been reported.

More than 300 birds, mostly guillemots but also some razorbills, have been treated at the RSPCA West Hatch centre near Taunton, Somerset.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21350625#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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