“Magnetic Cleansing” for the Provision of a ‘Quick Clean’ to Oiled Wildlife

Authors: Lawrence N. Ngeh, John D. Orbell, Stephen W. Bigger, Kasup Munaweera, Peter Dann

Abstract:

This research is part of a broad program aimed at advancing the science and technology involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife. One aspect of this research involves the use of oil-sequestering magnetic particles for the removal of contaminants from plumage – so-called “magnetic cleansing". This treatment offers a number of advantages over conventional detergent-based methods including portability - which offers the possibility of providing a “quick clean" to the animal upon first encounter in the field. This could be particularly advantageous when the contaminant is toxic and/or corrosive and/or where there is a delay in transporting the victim to a treatment centre. The method could also be useful as part of a stabilization protocol when large numbers of affected animals are awaiting treatment. This presentation describes the design, development and testing of a prototype field kit for providing a “quick clean" to contaminated wildlife in the field.

Keywords: Magnetic Particles, Oiled Wildlife, Quick Clean, Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1330799

References:

[1] J. D. Orbell, J.D, E. K. Tan, M. C. Coutts, S. W. Bigger, and L.N. Ngeh, "Cleansing oiled feathers - magnetically", Marine Pollution Bulletin, 38, pp. 219-221, 1999.
[2] J. D. Orbell, H. V. Dao, L. N. Ngeh, L.N, and S.W. Bigger, "Magnetic particle technology in environmental remediation and wildlife rehabilitation", Environmentalist, 27, no.1, pp. 175-182, 2007.
[3] J. D. Orbell, H. V. Dao, L. N. Ngeh, L.N, and S.W. Bigger, M. Zabinskas, M., Zheng, M., Healy, R., Jessop, and P. Dann, "Wholebird models for the magnetic cleansing of oiled feathers, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 48, pp. 336-340, 2004.
[4] H. V. Dao, L. N. Ngeh, S. W. Bigger, and J. D. Orbell, "The achievement of 100% removal of oil from feathers employing magnetic particle technology", Journal of Environmental Engineering, no. 5, pp. 555-559, 2006.
[5] J. D. Orbell, H. V. Dao, L. N. Ngeh, S. W. Bigger, M. Healy, R. Jessop, and P. Dann, "Acute temperature dependency in the cleansing of tarry feathers utilizing magnetic particles", Environmental Chemistry Letters, 3, pp. 25-27, 2005.
[6] H. V. Dao, L. A. Maher, L. N. Ngeh, S. W. Bigger, J. D. Orbell, M. Healy, R. Jessop, and P. Dann, "Removal of petroleum tar from bird feathers utilizing magnetic particles", Environmental Chemistry Letters, 4, pp. 111-113, 2006.
[7] J. D. Orbell, H. V. Dao, L. N. Ngeh, and S.W. Bigger, "An investigation into the feasibility of applying magnetic particle technology to the cleansing of oiled wildlife in the field". 75 page report prepared for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (National Plan Environment Working Group) and the Phillip Island Nature Park, 2008.
[8] H.V. Dao, L. N. Ngeh, S.W. Bigger, J.D. Orbell,. M. Healy, R. Jessop, and P. Dann, "Magnetic cleansing of weathered/tarry oiled feathers - the role of pre-conditioners", Marine Pollution Bulletin, 52, no. 12, pp. 1591-1594, 2006.