Diesel Ducks and Gassy Grebes: How Fuel Spills Affect Birds

Overview

Objectives/Goals My project is to determine which fuel, gasoline or diesel, is most damaging to a bird's ability to insulate itself. Methods/Materials Nine chicken breasts (bone in, skin on) were cooked in an oven to 325 degrees F. for 25 minutes each. When they were removed from the oven, the breasts were covered in bird feathers that were soaked in either gasoline or diesel fuel, or in dry feathers. I measured the drop in temperature of the chicken breasts for 45 minutes. Results The gasoline and diesel fuel both had an average temperature loss of 0.54 degrees F per minute. The chicken breast covered in dry feathers had an average temperature loss of 0.34 degrees F per minute. Conclusions/Discussion I found out that gasoline and diesel fuel have the same effect on the insulating quality of a bird's feathers. I also found out that feathers not soaked in any kind of fuel will insulate a bird more effectively.

Competition history

• CSEF 2010 Toxicology (Junior Division Only) · Entry J2306

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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