1
|
Gransier R, Kastelein RA. Similar susceptibility to temporary hearing threshold shifts despite different audiograms in harbor porpoises and harbor seals. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 155:396-404. [PMID: 38240666 DOI: 10.1121/10.0024343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
When they are exposed to loud fatiguing sounds in the oceans, marine mammals are susceptible to hearing damage in the form of temporary hearing threshold shifts (TTSs) or permanent hearing threshold shifts. We compared the level-dependent and frequency-dependent susceptibility to TTSs in harbor seals and harbor porpoises, species with different hearing sensitivities in the low- and high-frequency regions. Both species were exposed to 100% duty cycle one-sixth-octave noise bands at frequencies that covered their entire hearing range. In the case of the 6.5 kHz exposure for the harbor seals, a pure tone (continuous wave) was used. TTS was quantified as a function of sound pressure level (SPL) half an octave above the center frequency of the fatiguing sound. The species have different audiograms, but their frequency-specific susceptibility to TTS was more similar. The hearing frequency range in which both species were most susceptible to TTS was 22.5-50 kHz. Furthermore, the frequency ranges were characterized by having similar critical levels (defined as the SPL of the fatiguing sound above which the magnitude of TTS induced as a function of SPL increases more strongly). This standardized between-species comparison indicates that the audiogram is not a good predictor of frequency-dependent susceptibility to TTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Gransier
- Research Group Experimental Oto-rhino-laryngology (ExpORL), Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 721, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ronald A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3842 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mulsow J, Schlundt CE, Strahan MG, Finneran JJ. Bottlenose dolphin temporary threshold shift following exposure to 10-ms impulses centered at 8 kHza). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:1287-1298. [PMID: 37646472 DOI: 10.1121/10.0020726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Studies of marine mammal temporary threshold shift (TTS) from impulsive sources have typically produced small TTS magnitudes, likely due to much of the energy in tested sources lying below the subjects' range of best hearing. In this study of dolphin TTS, 10-ms impulses centered at 8 kHz were used with the goal of inducing larger magnitudes of TTS and assessing the time course of hearing recovery. Most impulses had sound pressure levels of 175-180 dB re 1 μPa, while inter-pulse interval (IPI) and total number of impulses were varied. Dolphin TTS increased with increasing cumulative sound exposure level (SEL) and there was no apparent effect of IPI for exposures with equal SEL. The lowest TTS onset was 184 dB re 1 μPa2s, although early exposures with 20-s IPI and cumulative SEL of 182-183 dB re 1 μPa2s produced respective TTS of 35 and 16 dB in two dolphins. Continued testing with higher SELs up to 191 dB re 1 μPa2s in one of those dolphins, however, failed to result in TTS greater than 14 dB. Recovery rates were similar to those from other studies with non-impulsive sources and depended on the magnitude of the initial TTS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason Mulsow
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92106, USA
| | - Carolyn E Schlundt
- Peraton Corporation, 4045 Hancock Street, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92110, USA
| | - Madelyn G Strahan
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92106, USA
| | - James J Finneran
- U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific Code 56710, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, California 92152, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
von Benda-Beckmann AM, Ketten DR, Lam FPA, de Jong CAF, Müller RAJ, Kastelein RA. Erratum: Evaluation of kurtosis-corrected sound exposure level as a metric for predicting onset of hearing threshold shifts in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 152, 295-301 (2022)]. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:3789. [PMID: 36586862 DOI: 10.1121/10.0016608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - D R Ketten
- The Hearing Research Center, Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - F P A Lam
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - C A F de Jong
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - R A J Müller
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - R A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The effect of time regime in noise exposure on the auditory system and behavioural stress in the zebrafish. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15353. [PMID: 36097161 PMCID: PMC9468136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise of variable temporal patterns is increasing in aquatic environments, causing physiological stress and sensory impairment. However, scarce information exists on exposure effects to continuous versus intermittent disturbances, which is critical for noise sustainable management. We tested the effects of different noise regimes on the auditory system and behaviour in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Adult zebrafish were exposed for 24 h to either white noise (150 ± 10 dB re 1 μPa) or silent control. Acoustic playbacks varied in temporal patterns—continuous, fast and slow regular intermittent, and irregular intermittent. Auditory sensitivity was assessed with Auditory Evoked Potential recordings, revealing hearing loss and increased response latency in all noise-treated groups. The highest mean threshold shifts (c. 13 dB) were registered in continuous and fast intermittent treatments, and no differences were found between regular and irregular regimes. Inner ear saccule did not reveal significant hair cell loss but showed a decrease in presynaptic Ribeye b protein especially after continuous exposure. Behavioural assessment using the standardized Novel Tank Diving assay showed that all noise-treated fish spent > 98% time in the bottom within the first minute compared to 82% in control, indicating noise-induced anxiety/stress. We provide first data on how different noise time regimes impact a reference fish model, suggesting that overall acoustic energy is more important than regularity when predicting noise effects.
Collapse
|
5
|
von Benda-Beckmann AM, Ketten DR, Lam FPA, de Jong CAF, Müller RAJ, Kastelein RA. Evaluation of kurtosis-corrected sound exposure level as a metric for predicting onset of hearing threshold shifts in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:295. [PMID: 35931542 DOI: 10.1121/10.0012364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Application of a kurtosis correction to frequency-weighted sound exposure level (SEL) improved predictions of risk of hearing damage in humans and terrestrial mammals for sound exposures with different degrees of impulsiveness. To assess whether kurtosis corrections may lead to improved predictions for marine mammals, corrections were applied to temporary threshold shift (TTS) growth measurements for harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) exposed to different sounds. Kurtosis-corrected frequency-weighted SEL predicted accurately the growth of low levels of TTS (TTS1-4 < 10 dB) for intermittent sounds with short (1-13 s) silence intervals but was not consistent with frequency-weighted SEL data for continuous sound exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - D R Ketten
- The Hearing Research Center, Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - F P A Lam
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - C A F de Jong
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - R A J Müller
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - R A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tougaard J, Beedholm K, Madsen PT. Thresholds for noise induced hearing loss in harbor porpoises and phocid seals. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 151:4252. [PMID: 35778178 DOI: 10.1121/10.0011560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Intense sound sources, such as pile driving, airguns, and military sonars, have the potential to inflict hearing loss in marine mammals and are, therefore, regulated in many countries. The most recent criteria for noise induced hearing loss are based on empirical data collected until 2015 and recommend frequency-weighted and species group-specific thresholds to predict the onset of temporary threshold shift (TTS). Here, evidence made available after 2015 in light of the current criteria for two functional hearing groups is reviewed. For impulsive sounds (from pile driving and air guns), there is strong support for the current threshold for very high frequency cetaceans, including harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Less strong support also exists for the threshold for phocid seals in water, including harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). For non-impulsive sounds, there is good correspondence between exposure functions and empirical thresholds below 10 kHz for porpoises (applicable to assessment and regulation of military sonars) and between 3 and 16 kHz for seals. Above 10 kHz for porpoises and outside of the range 3-16 kHz for seals, there are substantial differences (up to 35 dB) between the predicted thresholds for TTS and empirical results. These discrepancies call for further studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Tougaard
- Department of Ecoscience, Marine Mammal Research, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Kristian Beedholm
- Department of Biology, Zoophysiology, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | - Peter T Madsen
- Department of Biology, Zoophysiology, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Guan S, Brookens T, Miner R. Acoustic characteristics from an in-water down-the-hole pile drilling activity. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 151:310. [PMID: 35105028 DOI: 10.1121/10.0009272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sound generated by pile installation using a down-the-hole (DTH) hammer is not well documented and differs in character from sound generated by conventional impact and vibratory pile driving. This paper describes underwater acoustic characteristics from DTH pile drilling during the installation of 0.84-m shafts within 1.22-m steel piles in Ketchikan, Alaska. The median single-strike sound exposure levels were 138 and 142 dB re 1 μPa2s at 10 m for each of the two piles, with cumulative sound exposure levels of 185 and 193 dB re 1 μPa2s at 10 m, respectively. The sound levels measured at Ketchikan were significantly lower than previous studies, and the sound was determined to be non-impulsive in this study as compared to impulsive in previous studies. These differences likely result from the DTH hammer not making direct contact with the pile, as had been the case in previous studies. Therefore, we suggest using the term DTH pile drilling to distinguish from DTH pile driving when the hammer strikes the pile. Further research is needed to investigate DTH piling techniques and associated sound-generating mechanisms and to differentiate the various types of sound emitted, which has important implications for the underwater sound regulatory community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane Guan
- Division of Environmental Sciences, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Sterling, Virginia 20166, USA
| | | | - Robert Miner
- Robert Miner Dynamic Testing of Alaska Inc., Manchester, Washington 98353, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jones IT, Peyla JF, Clark H, Song Z, Stanley JA, Mooney TA. Changes in feeding behavior of longfin squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) during laboratory exposure to pile driving noise. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 165:105250. [PMID: 33461106 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise can cause diverse changes in animals' behaviors, but effects on feeding behaviors are understudied, especially for key invertebrate taxa. With the offshore wind industry expanding, concern exists regarding potential impacts of pile driving noise on squid and other commercially and ecologically vital taxa. We investigated changes in feeding and alarm (defense) behaviors of squid, Doryteuthis pealeii, predating on killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, during playbacks of pile driving noise recorded from wind farm construction within squids' habitat. Fewer squid captured killifish during noise exposure compared to controls. Squid had more failed predation attempts when noise was started during predation sequences. Alarm responses to noise were similar whether or not squid were hunting killifish, indicating similar vigilance to threat stimuli in these contexts. Additionally, novel hearing measurements on F. heteroclitus confirmed they could detect the noise. These results indicate noise can disrupt feeding behaviors of a key invertebrate species, and will leverage future studies on how noise may disrupt squids' vital ecological interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Jones
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States; Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States.
| | - James F Peyla
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - Hadley Clark
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - Zhongchang Song
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - Jenni A Stanley
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - T Aran Mooney
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Guan S, Miner R. Underwater noise characterization of down-the-hole pile driving activities off Biorka Island, Alaska. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 160:111664. [PMID: 33181939 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although down-the-hole (DTH) pile driving is increasingly used for in-water pile installation, the characteristics of underwater noise from DTH pile driving is largely undocumented and unstudied. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the noise characteristics during DTH pile driving of two steel pipe piles in shallow waters off southeast Alaska. The results showed that single-strike sound exposure levels measured at 10 m were 147 and 145 dB re 1 μPa2s with a total of 21,742 and 38,631 hammer strikes, with cumulative sound exposure levels to install each pile at 192 and 191 dB re 1 μPa2s, respectively. Though noise levels from a single strike was lower than impact pile driving of a similar pile, the cumulative sound exposure levels are likely comparable due to the much higher striking rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shane Guan
- The Catholic University of America, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 620 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
| | - Robert Miner
- Robert Miner Dynamic Testing of Alaska Inc., 2288 Colchester Drive East, Manchester, WA 98353, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ainslie MA, Halvorsen MB, Müller RAJ, Lippert T. Application of damped cylindrical spreading to assess range to injury threshold for fishes from impact pile driving. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 148:108. [PMID: 32752788 DOI: 10.1121/10.0001443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Environmental risk assessment for impact pile driving requires characterization of the radiated sound field. Damped cylindrical spreading (DCS) describes propagation of the acoustic Mach cone generated by striking a pile and predicts sound exposure level (LE) versus range. For known water depth and sediment properties, DCS permits extrapolation from a measurement at a known range. Impact assessment criteria typically involve zero-to-peak sound pressure level (Lp,pk), root-mean-square sound pressure level (Lp,rms), and cumulative sound exposure level (LE,cum). To facilitate predictions using DCS, Lp,pk and Lp,rms were estimated from LE using empirical regressions. Using a wind farm construction scenario in the North Sea, DCS was applied to estimate ranges to recommended thresholds in fishes. For 3500 hammer strikes, the estimated LE,cum impact ranges for mortal and recoverable injury were up to 1.8 and 3.1 km, respectively. Applying a 10 dB noise abatement measure, these distances reduced to 0.29 km for mortal injury and 0.65 km for recoverable injury. An underlying detail that produces unstable results is the averaging time for calculating Lp,rms, which by convention is equal to the 90%-energy signal duration. A stable alternative is proposed for this quantity based on the effective signal duration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Ainslie
- JASCO Applied Sciences (Deutschland) GmbH, Mergenthaler Allee 15-21, 65760 Eschborn, Hesse, Germany
| | - Michele B Halvorsen
- CSA Ocean Sciences Inc., 8502 Southwest Kansas Avenue, Stuart, Florida 34997, USA
| | - Roel A J Müller
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK Den Haag, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Finneran JJ. Conditioned attenuation of dolphin monaural and binaural auditory evoked potentials after preferential stimulation of one ear. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 147:2302. [PMID: 32359288 DOI: 10.1121/10.0001033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that some species of odontocetes can be conditioned to reduce hearing sensitivity when warned of an impending intense sound; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, conditioned hearing attenuation was elicited in two bottlenose dolphins by pairing a 10-kHz tone (the conditioned stimulus) with a more intense tone (the unconditioned stimulus) at 28 kHz. Testing was performed in air, with sounds presented via contact transducers. Hearing was assessed via noninvasive measurement of monaural auditory nerve responses (ANR) and binaural auditory brainstem responses (ABR). ABRs/ANRs were measured in response to 40-kHz tone bursts, over 2 to 3-s time intervals before and after the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli. Results showed reductions in ABR/ANR amplitude and increases in latency after pairing the warning and more intense tones. Monaural ANRs from the left and right ears were attenuated by similar amounts when the warning and more intense sounds were preferentially applied to the right ear. The data support a neural mechanism operating at the level of the cochlea and/or auditory nerve and suggest the involvement of neural projections that can affect the contralateral ear.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James J Finneran
- U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, Code 56710, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, California 92152, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Martin SB, Lucke K, Barclay DR. Techniques for distinguishing between impulsive and non-impulsive sound in the context of regulating sound exposure for marine mammals. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 147:2159. [PMID: 32359266 DOI: 10.1121/10.0000971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Regulations designed to mitigate the effects of man-made sounds on marine mammal hearing specify maximum daily sound exposure levels. The limits are lower for impulsive than non-impulsive sounds. The regulations do not indicate how to quantify impulsiveness; instead sounds are grouped by properties at the source. To address this gap, three metrics of impulsiveness (kurtosis, crest factor, and the Harris impulse factor) were compared using values from random noise and real-world ocean sounds. Kurtosis is recommended for quantifying impulsiveness. Kurtosis greater than 40 indicates a sound is fully impulsive. Only sounds above the effective quiet threshold (EQT) are considered intense enough to accumulate over time and cause hearing injury. A functional definition for EQT is proposed: the auditory frequency-weighted sound pressure level (SPL) that could accumulate to cause temporary threshold shift from non-impulsive sound as described in Southall, Finneran, Reichmuth, Nachtigall, Ketten, Bowles, Ellison, Nowacek, and Tyack [(2019). Aquat. Mamm. 45, 125-232]. It is known that impulsive sounds change to non-impulsive as these sounds propagate. This paper shows that this is not relevant for assessing hearing injury because sounds retain impulsive character when SPLs are above EQT. Sounds from vessels are normally considered non-impulsive; however, 66% of vessels analyzed were impulsive when weighted for very-high frequency mammal hearing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Bruce Martin
- JASCO Applied Sciences Canada, Suite 202, 32 Troop Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B3B 1Z1, Canada
| | - Klaus Lucke
- JASCO Applied Sciences, Australia, 1/14 Hook Street, Capalaba, Queensland 4157, Australia
| | - David R Barclay
- Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, P.O. Box 15000, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schaffeld T, Schnitzler JG, Ruser A, Woelfing B, Baltzer J, Siebert U. Effects of multiple exposures to pile driving noise on harbor porpoise hearing during simulated flights-An evaluation tool. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 147:685. [PMID: 32113263 DOI: 10.1121/10.0000595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Exploitation of renewable energy from offshore wind farms is substantially increasing worldwide. The majority of wind turbines are bottom mounted, causing high levels of impulsive noise during construction. To prevent temporary threshold shifts (TTS) in harbor porpoise hearing, single strike sound exposure levels (SELSS) are restricted in Germany by law to a maximum of 160 dB re 1 μPa2s at a distance of 750 m from the sound source. Underwater recordings of pile driving strikes, recorded during the construction of an offshore wind farm in the German North Sea, were analyzed. Using a simulation approach, it was tested whether a TTS can still be induced under current protective regulations by multiple exposures. The evaluation tool presented here can be easily adjusted for different sound propagation, acoustic signals, or species and enables one to calculate a minimum deterrence distance. Based on this simulation approach, only the combination of SELSS regulation, previous deterrence, and soft start allow harbor porpoises to avoid a TTS from multiple exposures. However, deterrence efficiency has to be monitored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schaffeld
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, D-25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Joseph G Schnitzler
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, D-25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Andreas Ruser
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, D-25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Benno Woelfing
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, D-25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Johannes Baltzer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, D-25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, D-25761 Buesum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jones IT, Stanley JA, Mooney TA. Impulsive pile driving noise elicits alarm responses in squid (Doryteuthis pealeii). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 150:110792. [PMID: 31910530 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Pile driving occurs during construction of marine platforms, including offshore windfarms, producing intense sounds that can adversely affect marine animals. We quantified how a commercially and economically important squid (Doryteuthis pealeii: Lesueur 1821) responded to pile driving sounds recorded from a windfarm installation within this species' habitat. Fifteen-minute portions of these sounds were played to 16 individual squid. A subset of animals (n = 11) received a second exposure after a 24-h rest period. Body pattern changes, inking, jetting, and startle responses were observed and nearly all squid exhibited at least one response. These responses occurred primarily during the first 8 impulses and diminished quickly, indicating potential rapid, short-term habituation. Similar response rates were seen 24-h later, suggesting squid re-sensitized to the noise. Increased tolerance of anti-predatory alarm responses may alter squids' ability to deter and evade predators. Noise exposure may also disrupt normal intraspecific communication and ecologically relevant responses to sound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Jones
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Cambridge, MA, USA; Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Jenni A Stanley
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - T Aran Mooney
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Schaffeld T, Ruser A, Woelfing B, Baltzer J, Kristensen JH, Larsson J, Schnitzler JG, Siebert U. The use of seal scarers as a protective mitigation measure can induce hearing impairment in harbour porpoises. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 146:4288. [PMID: 31893707 DOI: 10.1121/1.5135303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) are used to deter seals from aquacultures but exposure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) occurs as a side-effect. At construction sites, by contrast, ADDs are used to deter harbour porpoises from the zone in which pile driving noise can induce temporary threshold shifts (TTSs). ADDs emit such high pressure levels that there is concern that ADDs themselves may induce a TTS. A harbour porpoise in human care was exposed to an artificial ADD signal with a peak frequency of 14 kHz. A significant TTS was found, measured by auditory evoked potentials, with an onset of 142 dB re 1 μPa2s at 20 kHz and 147 dB re 1 μPa2s at 28 kHz. The authors therefore strongly recommend to gradually increase and down regulate source levels of ADDs to the desired deterrence range. However, further research is needed to develop a reliable relationship between received levels and deterrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schaffeld
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Andreas Ruser
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Benno Woelfing
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Johannes Baltzer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | | | | | - Joseph G Schnitzler
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stöber U, Thomsen F. Effect of impact pile driving noise on marine mammals: A comparison of different noise exposure criteria. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 145:3252. [PMID: 31153340 DOI: 10.1121/1.5109387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Regulators in Europe and in the United States have developed sound exposure criteria. Criteria range from broadband levels to frequency weighted received sound levels. The associated differences in impact assessment results are, however, not yet understood. This uncertainty makes environmental management of transboundary anthropogenic noise challenging and causes confusion for regulators who need to choose appropriate exposure criteria. In the present study, three established exposure criteria frameworks from Germany, Denmark, and the US were used to analyse the effect of impact pile driving at a location in the Baltic Sea on harbor porpoise and harbor seal hearing. The acoustic modeling using MIKE showed that an unmitigated scenario would lead to auditory injury for all three criteria. Despite readily apparent variances in impact ranges among the applied approaches, it was also evident that noise mitigation measures could reduce underwater sound to levels where auditory injuries would be unlikely in most cases. It was concluded that each of the frameworks has its own advantages and disadvantages. Single noise exposure criteria follow the precautionary principle and can be enforced relatively easily, whereas criteria that consider hearing capabilities and animal response movement can improve the accuracy of the assessment if data are available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Stöber
- DHI WASY GmbH, Volmerstraße 8, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kastelein RA, Helder-Hoek L, Kommeren A, Covi J, Gransier R. Effect of pile-driving sounds on harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) hearing. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 143:3583. [PMID: 29960448 DOI: 10.1121/1.5040493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Seals exposed to intense sounds may suffer hearing loss. After exposure to playbacks of broadband pile-driving sounds, the temporary hearing threshold shift (TTS) of two harbor seals was quantified at 4 and 8 kHz (frequencies of the highest TTS) with a psychoacoustic technique. The pile-driving sounds had: a 127 ms pulse duration, 2760 strikes per h, a 1.3 s inter-pulse interval, a ∼9.5% duty cycle, and an average received single-strike unweighted sound exposure level (SELss) of 151 dB re 1 μPa2s. Exposure durations were 180 and 360 min [cumulative sound exposure level (SELcum): 190 and 193 dB re 1 μPa2s]. Control sessions were conducted under low ambient noise. TTS only occurred after 360 min exposures (mean TTS: seal 02, 1-4 min after sound stopped: 3.9 dB at 4 kHz and 2.4 dB at 8 kHz; seal 01, 12-16 min after sound stopped: 2.8 dB at 4 kHz and 2.6 dB at 8 kHz). Hearing recovered within 60 min post-exposure. The TTSs were small, due to the small amount of sound energy to which the seals were exposed. Biological TTS onset SELcum for the pile-driving sounds used in this study is around 192 dB re 1 μPa2s (for mean received SELss of 151 dB re 1 μPa and a duty cycle of ∼9.5%).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Lean Helder-Hoek
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Aimée Kommeren
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Covi
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Robin Gransier
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kastelein RA, Helder-Hoek L, Van de Voorde S, von Benda-Beckmann AM, Lam FPA, Jansen E, de Jong CAF, Ainslie MA. Temporary hearing threshold shift in a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) after exposure to multiple airgun sounds. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 142:2430. [PMID: 29092610 DOI: 10.1121/1.5007720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In seismic surveys, reflected sounds from airguns are used under water to detect gas and oil below the sea floor. The airguns produce broadband high-amplitude impulsive sounds, which may cause temporary or permanent threshold shifts (TTS or PTS) in cetaceans. The magnitude of the threshold shifts and the hearing frequencies at which they occur depend on factors such as the received cumulative sound exposure level (SELcum), the number of exposures, and the frequency content of the sounds. To quantify TTS caused by airgun exposure and the subsequent hearing recovery, the hearing of a harbor porpoise was tested by means of a psychophysical technique. TTS was observed after exposure to 10 and 20 consecutive shots fired from two airguns simultaneously (SELcum: 188 and 191 dB re 1 μPa2s) with mean shot intervals of around 17 s. Although most of the airgun sounds' energy was below 1 kHz, statistically significant initial TTS1-4 (1-4 min after sound exposure stopped) of ∼4.4 dB occurred only at the hearing frequency 4 kHz, and not at lower hearing frequencies tested (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz). Recovery occurred within 12 min post-exposure. The study indicates that frequency-weighted SELcum is a good predictor for the low levels of TTS observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Lean Helder-Hoek
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Shirley Van de Voorde
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | | | - Frans-Peter A Lam
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Jansen
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Christ A F de Jong
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Michael A Ainslie
- TNO Acoustics and Sonar, Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK, The Hague, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kastelein RA, Helder-Hoek L, Van de Voorde S. Effects of exposure to sonar playback sounds (3.5 - 4.1 kHz) on harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) hearing. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 142:1965. [PMID: 29092538 DOI: 10.1121/1.5005613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Safety criteria for naval sonar sounds are needed to protect harbor porpoise hearing. Two porpoises were exposed to sequences of AN/SQS-53C sonar playback sounds (3.5-4.1 kHz, without significant harmonics), at a mean received sound pressure level of 142 dB re 1 μPa, with a duty cycle of 96% (almost continuous). Behavioral hearing thresholds at 4 and 5.7 kHz were determined before and after exposure to the fatiguing sound, in order to quantify temporary threshold shifts (TTSs) and hearing recovery. Control sessions were also conducted. Significant mean initial TTS1-4 of 5.2 dB at 4 kHz and 3.1 dB at 5.7 kHz occurred after 30 min exposures (mean received cumulative sound exposure level, SELcum: 175 dB re 1 μPa2s). Hearing thresholds returned to pre-exposure levels within 12 min. Significant mean initial TTS1-4 of 5.5 dB at 4 kHz occurred after 60 min exposures (SELcum: 178 dB re 1 μPa2s). Hearing recovered within 60 min. The SELcum for AN/SQS-53C sonar sounds required to induce 6 dB of TTS 4 min after exposure (the definition of TTS onset) is expected to be between 175 and 180 dB re 1 μPa2s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company, Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Lean Helder-Hoek
- Sea Mammal Research Company, Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kastelein RA, Jennings N, Kommeren A, Helder-Hoek L, Schop J. Acoustic dose-behavioral response relationship in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to playbacks of pile driving sounds. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 130:315-324. [PMID: 28874258 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The foundations of offshore wind turbines are attached to the sea bed by percussion pile driving. Pile driving sounds may affect the behavior of fish. Acoustic dose-behavioral response relationships were determined for sea bass in a pool exposed for 20 min to pile driving sounds at seven mean received root-mean-square sound pressure levels [SPLrms; range: 130-166 dB re 1 μPa; single strike sound exposure level (SELss) range: 122-158; 6 dB steps]. Initial responses (sudden, short-lived changes in swimming speed and direction) and sustained responses (changes in school cohesion, swimming depth, and speed) were quantified. The 50% initial response threshold occurred at an SELss of 131 dB re 1 μPa2 s for 31 cm fish and 141 dB re 1 μPa2 s for 44 cm fish; the small fish thus reacted to lower SELss than the large fish. Analysis showed that there is no evidence, even at the highest sound level, for any consistent sustained response to sound exposure by the study animals. If wild sea bass are exposed to pile driving sounds at the levels used in the present study, there are unlikely to be any adverse effects on their ecology, because the initial responses after the onset of the piling sound observed in this study were short-lived.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A Kastelein
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands.
| | - Nancy Jennings
- Dotmoth, 1 Mendip Villas, Crabtree Lane, Dundry, Bristol BS41 8LN, United Kingdom
| | - Aimée Kommeren
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Lean Helder-Hoek
- Sea Mammal Research Company (SEAMARCO), Julianalaan 46, 3843 CC Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica Schop
- Wageningen University and Research - Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|