Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons

The structure and composition of baleen from seven species of whales was studied using tensiometry. X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Baleen was found to be composed principally of amorphous and α-keratin. Hydroxyapatite (bone mineral, Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 OH 2 ) was present in all species. Cert...

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Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Aubin, D. J. St., Stinson, R. H., Geraci, J. R.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1984
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-032
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-032
id crcansciencepubl:10.1139/z84-032
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spelling crcansciencepubl:10.1139/z84-032 2024-05-12T08:01:33+00:00 Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons Aubin, D. J. St. Stinson, R. H. Geraci, J. R. 1984 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-032 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-032 en eng Canadian Science Publishing http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining Canadian Journal of Zoology volume 62, issue 2, page 193-198 ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283 Animal Science and Zoology Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics journal-article 1984 crcansciencepubl https://doi.org/10.1139/z84-032 2024-04-18T06:54:53Z The structure and composition of baleen from seven species of whales was studied using tensiometry. X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Baleen was found to be composed principally of amorphous and α-keratin. Hydroxyapatite (bone mineral, Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 OH 2 ) was present in all species. Certain elements, notably manganese, copper, boron, iron, and calcium were more highly concentrated in the fibers than in the matrix of the plate. The breaking strength of baleen plates from fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sei (B. borealis), and grey (Eschrichtius robustus) whales was comparable to that of buffalo horn, in the range of 2−9 × 10 6 N∙m −2 . The stiffness of baleen was somewhat less than that of other keratinized tissues. Treatment with 10% (v/v) trichloroacetic acid for 8 days removed most of the calcium salts, denatured α-keratin, and made fin whale plates stronger and stiffer. Exposure to gasoline for 1.5 h or 14 days, crude oil for 8 days, or tar for 21 days resulted in loss of trace elements from baleen, and inconsistent changes in keratin organization. After tar exposure, fin whale baleen plates were stiffer and stronger. We presume that at sea, baleen would be relatively resistant to damage by spilled oil. Article in Journal/Newspaper Balaenoptera physalus Fin whale Canadian Science Publishing Canadian Journal of Zoology 62 2 193 198
institution Open Polar
collection Canadian Science Publishing
op_collection_id crcansciencepubl
language English
topic Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
spellingShingle Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Aubin, D. J. St.
Stinson, R. H.
Geraci, J. R.
Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
topic_facet Animal Science and Zoology
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
description The structure and composition of baleen from seven species of whales was studied using tensiometry. X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Baleen was found to be composed principally of amorphous and α-keratin. Hydroxyapatite (bone mineral, Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 OH 2 ) was present in all species. Certain elements, notably manganese, copper, boron, iron, and calcium were more highly concentrated in the fibers than in the matrix of the plate. The breaking strength of baleen plates from fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sei (B. borealis), and grey (Eschrichtius robustus) whales was comparable to that of buffalo horn, in the range of 2−9 × 10 6 N∙m −2 . The stiffness of baleen was somewhat less than that of other keratinized tissues. Treatment with 10% (v/v) trichloroacetic acid for 8 days removed most of the calcium salts, denatured α-keratin, and made fin whale plates stronger and stiffer. Exposure to gasoline for 1.5 h or 14 days, crude oil for 8 days, or tar for 21 days resulted in loss of trace elements from baleen, and inconsistent changes in keratin organization. After tar exposure, fin whale baleen plates were stiffer and stronger. We presume that at sea, baleen would be relatively resistant to damage by spilled oil.
format Article in Journal/Newspaper
author Aubin, D. J. St.
Stinson, R. H.
Geraci, J. R.
author_facet Aubin, D. J. St.
Stinson, R. H.
Geraci, J. R.
author_sort Aubin, D. J. St.
title Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
title_short Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
title_full Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
title_fullStr Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
title_full_unstemmed Aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
title_sort aspects of the structure and composition of baleen, and some effects of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons
publisher Canadian Science Publishing
publishDate 1984
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-032
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-032
genre Balaenoptera physalus
Fin whale
genre_facet Balaenoptera physalus
Fin whale
op_source Canadian Journal of Zoology
volume 62, issue 2, page 193-198
ISSN 0008-4301 1480-3283
op_rights http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/page/about/CorporateTextAndDataMining
op_doi https://doi.org/10.1139/z84-032
container_title Canadian Journal of Zoology
container_volume 62
container_issue 2
container_start_page 193
op_container_end_page 198
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