The blog this week focuses on the damage to skin caused by increased levels of UV rays, but not on humans. A study last year by Laura Martinez-Levasseur and colleagues found acute sun damage on the skin of several species of whales in the Gulf of California.
Using high resolution photography along with biopsies and statistical analysis, the research found that the amount of blisters observed on whales rose significantly between 2007 and 2009. Interestingly the characteristics of each species of whale determined the amount of sun damage. Fin whales exhibited the lowest amount of skin damage and the photoprotective role their darker pigmentation of skin provides was suggested to be the determining factor. However both blue and sperm whales showed similar levels of skin damage despite different pigmentation of skin. This was attributed to sea surface behaviour which is the amount of time spent at the surface during sunlight hours. Sperm whales have a darker skin colour; however they tend to spend approximately 7-10 minutes breathing at the surface compared to blue whales that spend just 2 minutes, thus increasing sun exposure.
The researchers conclude that the results suggest the “thinning of the ozone layer poses a significant and rising threat to the health of our oceans whales”.
This study was the first to measure the effects of increased UV rays on mammals in the wild. It is clearly important that more research is carried out on other species with particular interest to species migrating at high latitudes where ozone depletion is more pronounced. This biological feedback loop from a human induced phenomenon of ozone depletion once again demonstrates the consequences involved. We may have the scientific awareness to protect ourselves with sun cream (barring the occasional accident) however the majority of animals can not naturally adapt at the pace required with rapidly increasing UV rays.
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