IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/envsyd/v27y2007i1d10.1007_s10669-007-9026-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Magnetic particle technology in environmental remediation and wildlife rehabilitation

Author

Listed:
  • John D. Orbell

    (Victoria University)

  • Hien V. Dao

    (Victoria University)

  • Lawrence N. Ngeh

    (Victoria University)

  • Stephen W. Bigger

    (Victoria University)

Abstract

The use of magnetic particles in environmental remediation and wildlife rehabilitation is currently under investigation at Victoria University, in collaboration with the Phillip Island Research Centre, Victoria, Australia. Iron powder has been shown to be very effective for the magnetic cleansing of feathers and plumage and is almost ideal for this purpose, being non-toxic, a non-irritant and recyclable. Detailed investigations have demonstrated that by varying particle size, particle structure and surface texture, the efficacy of oil removal from feathers and plumage can be successfully manipulated. In this regard, it is possible to identify a grade of iron powder whereby, within experimental error, effectively 100% removal of a variety of fresh contaminants from different matrices, including feathers, can be achieved. Our investigations have been extended to the application of such particles to the successful removal of tarry and weathered/tarry contamination. The results of these investigations have indicated that, for such contaminants, removals ranging from 97–99% may be achieved. Magnetic particle technology may also be adapted for the screening of pre-conditioning agents that can further assist in the removal of tarry and weathered/tarry contamination from feathers. These investigations suggest that magnetic particles could have an important role to play in environmental remediation and wildlife rehabilitation as a clean and effective technology.

Suggested Citation

  • John D. Orbell & Hien V. Dao & Lawrence N. Ngeh & Stephen W. Bigger, 2007. "Magnetic particle technology in environmental remediation and wildlife rehabilitation," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 175-182, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:27:y:2007:i:1:d:10.1007_s10669-007-9026-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-007-9026-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10669-007-9026-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10669-007-9026-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:27:y:2007:i:1:d:10.1007_s10669-007-9026-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.