Scientists from the Zoological Society of London recently discovered this fact after doing research on several types of whales found in the Gulf of California. They took samples, collect high-resolution photographs, and examine the microscopic structure of sperm whales, gray whales fin and blue whales.
The results showed, nearly every sample of whale skin have skin cells that sunburn, even in the deepest layer of skin. It shows that the damage is quite severe. The researchers suspected, it burns on whales associated with damage to ozone layer that occurred.
Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse, molecular epidemiology experts from the Zoological Society of London who are involved in the research, said such damage could easily occur because the whales do not have the means of protection. "Whales do not have hair, fine hair, or feathers to protect the body from sun exposure," he said when interviewed by Discovery.
In addition, Whitehouse also said, "Other animals have a certain behavior to protect, for example hiding. However, the pope can not do that." The pope must swim to the surface to get oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the body. That's what triggered burns on whales, "he explained.
So far, scientists have only found two ways of adaptation to the pope, namely increasing the production of pigment and apoptosis or programmed cell death skin to remove damaged cells. However, researchers do not know whether how adaptation can still protect whales from burns. Because ozone is expected to more severe damage in the next few years.
Whitehouse believes there are still ways to save the whales. "I believe we are able to do many things to reduce skin damage caused by exposure to sunlight whales. We must reduce the triggers, such as by reducing pollution," he said. Pollution reduction is very useful so as to prevent increased damage to the ozone layer.
The results of this study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B recently.
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