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Occasionally, seabirds can become contaminated with hydrocarbons from oil spills - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 9 - 2015
Question 9
Occasionally, seabirds can become contaminated with hydrocarbons from oil spills. This causes problems for birds because their feathers lose their waterproofing, mak... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Occasionally, seabirds can become contaminated with hydrocarbons from oil spills - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 9 - 2015
Step 1
Comment on the problems created for seabirds by oil spills
Answer
Oil spills lead to serious contamination of seabirds by hydrocarbons, which are often complex mixtures of organic compounds. The presence of these hydrocarbons disrupts the feather's natural hydrophobic properties, rendering them unable to repel water. This loss of waterproofing exposes the birds to the external environment, making them more vulnerable to hypothermia due to temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, affected birds may attempt to clean themselves, which unfortunately can lead to the ingestion of harmful hydrocarbons, resulting in potential damage to their internal organs, including the liver and kidneys.
Step 2
Comment on the actions taken to treat affected birds
Answer
To clean contaminated seabirds, a method involves rubbing vegetable oil into the feathers and feet. This action serves a dual purpose; the vegetable oil helps to dissolve the harmful hydrocarbons, making them easier to remove. The cleaning process should follow this initial treatment with a gentle rinse using a diluted washing-up liquid solution, which helps to strip away both the vegetable oil and any remaining contaminants. This treatment relies on principles of polarity, as oil can attract other oil-based substances, facilitating the removal of harmful hydrocarbons from the feathers and skin of the birds.