Reaction of Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, to a Controlled Oil Spill

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1522-1525 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Smith ◽  
J. R. Geraci ◽  
D. J. St. Aubin
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
Underwater Movement

Three captive bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, were observed in an ocean pen measuring 14 × 11 m, divided into three equal areas by oil-containment booms. Each dolphin was placed in the pen alone for 4 d with no oil present, and 2 d with dark-colored mineral oil in one of the areas. We noted their area of surfacing, underwater movements, dive times, and reactions. After a few brief contacts with the oil, dolphins completely avoided surfacing in the slick. The oil also acted as a temporary barrier restricting their underwater movement.

Response to Comment on Health of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Barataria Bay, Louisiana Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 4209-4211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori H. Schwacke ◽  
Cynthia R. Smith ◽  
Forrest I. Townsend ◽  
Randall S. Wells ◽  
Leslie B. Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Deepwater Horizon ◽  
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill ◽  
Barataria Bay

How Do Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, React to Oil Films under Different Light Conditions?

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 430-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. St. Aubin ◽  
J. R. Geraci ◽  
T. G. Smith ◽  
T. G. Friesen
Keyword(s):  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
Repeated Exposure ◽  
Motor Oil ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Tactile Sense ◽  
Basic Reaction ◽  
Oil Films

In daylight, and again at night under a shading canopy, we observed the behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) allowed to swim freely in a pool with three surface divisions, one of which contained either clear mineral oil, dark-tinted mineral oil, or a thin sheen of refined motor oil. Overall, they avoided oil both during the day and at night. The response broke down when we presented them with a thin sheen, especially at night; we suggest that such conditions represent the threshold for their ability to detect oil or their desire to avoid it. Irrespective of light conditions, the dolphins' tactile sense played a more important role than vision in perceiving, and ultimately avoiding, oil. The strength of their basic reaction dampens our fear that they might be unknowingly subjected to prolonged or repeated exposure to oil at sea.

Bottlenose Dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, Can Detect Oil

1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1516-1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Geraci ◽  
D. J. St. Aubin ◽  
R. J. Reisman
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
Air Bubbles ◽  
Detection Thresholds ◽  
Leaded Gasoline ◽  
Oil Mixtures ◽  
Motor Oils

Two trained bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, were tested for their ability to detect visually 12 different oils and 22 oil mixtures confined at the surface in small cylinders. Detection thresholds were established in tests using progressively lighter substances. The animals detected 6-mm slicks of crude, residual, and refined motor oils, and diesel slicks thicker than 17 mm. They could not detect 6-mm thicknesses of leaded gasoline or transparent mineral oil. One dolphin's ability to detect oil improved with experience. While blindfolded, one dolphin could detect 12-mm-thick samples of two crude oils, Bunker C and mineral oil, but only when the latter two were churned and contained air bubbles. We conclude that dolphins detect the thicker concentrations of oil that occur near the source of an oceanic spill, but not lightly colored or refined products that tend to disperse into thin films.

scholarly journals Adrenal Gland and Lung Lesions in Gulf of Mexico Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Found Dead following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e0126538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Venn-Watson ◽  
Kathleen M. Colegrove ◽  
Jenny Litz ◽  
Michael Kinsel ◽  
Karen Terio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Deepwater Horizon ◽  
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill ◽  
Lung Lesions
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