2013 Yearbook - Alaska Clean Seas

In April 2012 ACS, the Alaska Zoo, Pet Stop, and U.S.
Fish and Wildlife conducted an experiment for cleaning
techniques on oiled polar bears. Polar bear pelts
were contributed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The pelts
were cut into swatches. Dry fur samples were then
contaminated with 0.8ml of crude oil. Both fresh and
weathered crude oil was utilized. After detergent was
applied, pelt samples were dipped 10 times in a series
of four beakers, each containing 500 ml of water. The
fourth and final rinse was supplemented with manual
washing. The amount of oil removed was determined
quantitatively using a FluoroCheck-II which measures
the amount (ppm) of hydrocarbons in a sample.
Visual observations were also made. Tests were
also conducted utilizing sawdust for cleaning. These
tests indicated that polar bear pelts are relatively easy
to clean. During the summer the Alaska Zoo tested
cleaning of vegetable oil from a polar bear at the zoo
during a health check of the bear. Again, the vegetable
oil was readily removed with soap and water.
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