Spermaceti

Abstract: The head of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus L.), which is largely snout and the crest of the skull necessary to support it, may exceed a third of the total weight and a quarter of the length of the whale. This indicates the snout has an extremely important function but few theories regarding its function take into account the overall structure, whilst the detailed structure and proportions of the adult's snout have been almost totally neglected. Similarly, consideration of the thermal properties of the spermaceti oil, which is the most remarkable component and constitutes a large proportion of the head, have been neglected in studies of function.

Abstract: This paper will discuss the buoyancy of the sperm whale throughout its range and show that the whale probably has some control over its own buoyancy. Evidence will then be presented in support of the hypothesis that the whale can attain neutral buoyancy at depths greater than 200 m by control of the temperature of the spermaceti oil in its head. As a basis for this, papers describing the detailed structure and proportions of the whale (Clarke, 1978 a ) and some physical properties of spermaceti oil (Clarke, 1978 b ) have already been published.

Abstract: During a sperm whale stranding at Romo, the Wadden Sea, Denmark, on 4 December 1997, we were notified in time to start acoustic transmission measurements in the spermaceti complex 1 h after the specimen was seen alive. Frequency-modulated sound pulses, sweeping from 30 kHz to 10 kHz in 25 ms, were injected at the frontal surface at two positions: at the distal sac, and at the center of the junk (a compartmentalized structure below the spermaceti organ). A hydrophone next to the projector served as receiver. The analyses of the recordings show a repetitive, decaying reflection pattern at both projection sites, reminiscent of the multi-pulse click peculiar to sperm whales, although with minor differences in the duration of the intra-click intervals. This experimental evidence supports the Norris and Harvey (1972) theory of click generation in the spermaceti organ. Accordingly, the click is composed of a primary event, followed by a train of reflected pulses, spaced by the time required for the event to travel back and forth between air sacs (reflectors) at each end of the organ. The results also show that the junk readily transmits sound and probably is in acoustic contact with the spermaceti organ.

Abstract: The lipid fraction of the deep water fish species orange roughy (Hoplostetbus atlanticus), black oreo (Allocyttus sp.) and small spined oreo (Pseudocyttus maculatus) had wax esters with even carbon numbers over the range C30 to C46 as the major components. The component acids and alcohols of the wax ester fraction were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and compared with those of jojoba and sperm whale oils. Orange roughy oil was refined and deodorized and its chemical, physical and mechanical properties were determined. Hydrogenation of orange roughy oil produced a range of white crystalline waxes with melting points between 34 and 66 C. The characteristics of these waxes were very similar to those of hydrogenated jojoba oil and spermaceti. Lubricant tests performed on sulfurized orange roughy oil indicated it is comparable to sulfurized jojoba and sperm whale oils as an extreme-pressure additive in lubricants. The results show a sound technical basis on which to consider an industry based on orange roughy oil and the oreo oils as replacements for sperm whale oil and as substitutes for jojoba oil. Applications for the oil could be in the cosmetic and high-grade lubricant fields, the waxes in the polish, textile, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and the sulfurized derivative of orange roughy oil in the lubricant industry.