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| Seabird deaths substance 'identified as oil substance' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A substance which has been covering birds on the south coast is an oil additive, a university has said. | 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 an additive in lubricating oils to improve performance. | Plymouth University said it was a form of polyisobutene, which was used as an additive in lubricating oils to improve performance. |
| It added it was informing the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the RSPCA. | |
| Congealed on feathers | Congealed on feathers |
| The substance was identified after analysis of a guillemot. | The substance was identified after analysis of a guillemot. |
| Chemical analyst Professor Steve Rowland, of the university's Centre for Chemical Sciences, said all the data it had gathered supported the conclusion. | 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 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". | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | More than 300 birds, mostly guillemots but also some razorbills, have been treated at the RSPCA West Hatch centre near Taunton, Somerset. |