Substance to Stop Oil From Sticking to Birds?
Scientists are perfecting a naturally based substance that will act like a laundry detergent in oil spills to prevent the oil from sticking to bird feathers. The substance is currently in the testing phase, which is funded by the National Science Foundation.
Scientists are perfecting a naturally based substance that will act like a laundry detergent in oil spills to prevent the oil from sticking to bird feathers. The substance is currently in the testing phase, which is funded by the National Science Foundation.
© 2011 National Geographic; partially funded by NSF; field producing and videography by Fritz Faerber
· Gulf Oil Spill News, Pictures, and Video
· Video: Tracking Birds in the BP-Spill Zone
A BIRD’S FEATHERS ENABLE IT TO FLY, FLOAT, AND REGULATE ITS BODY TEMPERATURE.
UNFORTUNATELY, FEATHERS ALSO ABSORB OIL, TAKING AWAY THESE CRUCIAL ABILITIES.
IMAGES LIKE THESE HAVE COME TO REPRESENT THE ENVIRONMENTAL TOLL OF OIL SPILLS, LIKE the Deepwater Horizon disaster that dumped nearly 5 million barrels into the
