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Prosnier L. Zooplankton as a model to study the effects of anthropogenic sounds on aquatic ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172489. [PMID: 38621539 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172489] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the impact of acoustic pollution on aquatic ecosystems. Currently, research has primarily focused on hearing species, particularly fishes and mammals. However, species from lower trophic levels, including many invertebrates, are less studied despite their ecological significance. Among these taxa, studies examining the effects of sound on holozooplankton are extremely rare. This literature review examines the effects of sound on both marine and freshwater zooplankton. It highlights two differences: the few used organisms and the types of sound source. Marine studies focus on the effects of very intense acute sound on copepods, while freshwater studies focus on less intense chronic sound on cladocerans. But, in both, various negative effects are reported. The effects of sound remain largely unknown, although previous studies have shown that zooplankton can detect vibrations using mechanoreceptors. The perception of their environment can be affected by sounds, potentially causing stress. Limited research suggests that sound may affect the physiology, behaviour, and fitness of zooplankton. Following this review, I highlight the potential to use methods from ecology, ecotoxicology, and parasitology to study the effects of sound at the individual level, including changes in physiology, development, survival, and behaviour. Responses to sound, which could alter species interactions and population dynamics, are expected to have larger-scale implications with bottom-up effects, such as changes in food web dynamics and ecosystem functioning. To improve the study of the effect of sound, to better use zooplankton as biological models and as bioindicators, researchers need to better understand how they perceive their acoustic environment. Consequently, an important challenge is the measurement of particle motion to establish useable dose-response relationships and particle motion soundscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Prosnier
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, University of Saint Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France; France Travail, Saint-Etienne, France.
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2
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McQueen K, Sivle LD, Forland TN, Meager JJ, Skjæraasen JE, Olsen EM, Karlsen Ø, Kvadsheim PH, de Jong K. Continuous sound from a marine vibrator causes behavioural responses of free-ranging, spawning Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123322. [PMID: 38211875 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123322] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Marine vibrators are a new technology being developed for seismic surveys. These devices can transmit continuous instead of impulsive sound and operate over a narrower frequency band and at lower peak pressure than airguns, which is assumed to reduce their environmental impacts. We exposed spawning Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to sound produced by a prototype, but full-scale, marine vibrator, and monitored behavioural responses of tagged cod using acoustic telemetry. Fish were exposed to 10 × 3 h continuous sound treatments over a 4-day period using a randomised-block design. Sound exposure levels were comparable to airgun exposure experiments conducted previously with the same set-up ranging from ∼115 to 145 dB re 1 μPa2s during exposure. Telemetry data were used to assess 1) whether marine vibrator exposure displaced cod from the spawning ground, through estimation of residence and survival probabilities, and 2) fine-scale behavioural responses within the test site, namely swimming depth, activity levels, displacement, and home ranges. Forty-two spawning cod were tagged prior to the exposure, with 22 present during the exposure. All 22 tags were equipped with pressure sensors and ten of these additionally with accelerometers. While no premature departure from the spawning site was observed, cod reacted to the exposure by decreasing their activity levels (by up to 50%, SE = 7%) and increasing their swimming depth (by up to 2.5 m, SE = 1.0 m) within the test site during the exposure period. These behavioural responses varied by sex and time of day. Cod reactions to a marine vibrator may be more pronounced than reactions to airguns, possibly because continuous sound is more disturbing to fish than intermittent sound at the same exposure levels. However, given sample size limitations of the present study, further studies with continuous sound are necessary to fully understand its impact and biological significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate McQueen
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway.
| | | | | | - Justin J Meager
- Natural Resources, GHD, 3 South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore, Qld, 4558, Australia
| | | | - Esben Moland Olsen
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ørjan Karlsen
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
| | - Petter H Kvadsheim
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), PO Box 115, Horten, 3191, Norway
| | - Karen de Jong
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
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3
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Badlowski GA, Boyle KS. Repeated boat noise exposure damages inner ear sensory hair cells and decreases hearing sensitivity in Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb245093. [PMID: 38099450 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise is becoming a major underwater pollutant because of rapidly increasing boat traffic worldwide. But its impact on aquatic organisms remains largely unknown. Previous studies have focused mainly on high-frequency and impulsive noises (i.e. sonar); however, boat noise is more pervasive, continuous, and its highest intensity and component frequencies overlap the auditory bandwidth of most fishes. We assessed the impacts of boat noise on saccular sensory hair cell density and hearing thresholds of a soniferous species, Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). In two laboratory experiments, individuals were subjected to simulated boat noise: a single 15-min exposure and 3 days of intermittent noise (simulating passing vessels). Immediately after both experiments, fish were either (1) tested for hearing sensitivity with auditory evoked potential (AEP) tests or (2) euthanized for fluorescent phalloidin and TUNEL labeling for hair cell density counts. Relative to controls, no differences were observed in auditory thresholds nor hair cell density between individuals subjected to a single 15-min noise exposure. However, fish from the 3-day experiment showed decreased sensory hair cell density, increased apoptotic cells, and higher hearing thresholds than control fish at 300, 800 and 1000 Hz. Our results demonstrate that impacts from boat noise depend upon the duration and frequency of exposure. For a species reliant on vocalization for communication, these impacts may hinder spawning success, increase predation risks and significantly alter the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina A Badlowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA
| | - Kelly S Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148, USA
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4
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Hasselman DJ, Hemery LG, Copping AE, Fulton EA, Fox J, Gill AB, Polagye B. 'Scaling up' our understanding of environmental effects of marine renewable energy development from single devices to large-scale commercial arrays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166801. [PMID: 37669708 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Global expansion of marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies is needed to help address the impacts of climate change, to ensure a sustainable transition from carbon-based energy sources, and to meet national energy security needs using locally-generated electricity. However, the MRE sector has yet to realize its full potential due to the limited scale of device deployments (i.e., single devices or small demonstration-scale arrays), and is hampered by various factors including uncertainty about environmental effects and how the magnitude of these effects scale with an increasing number of devices. This paper seeks to expand our understanding of the environmental effects of MRE arrays using existing frameworks and through the adaptation and application of cumulative environmental effects terminology to key stressor-receptor interactions. This approach facilitates the development of generalized concepts for the scaling of environmental effects for key stressor-receptor interactions, identifying high priority risks and revealing knowledge gaps that require investigation to aid expansion of the MRE sector. Results suggest that effects of collision risk for an array may be additive, antagonistic, or synergistic, but are likely dependent on array location and configuration. Effects of underwater noise are likely additive as additional devices are deployed in an array, while the effects of electromagnetic fields may be dominant, additive, or antagonistic. Changes to benthic habitats are likely additive, but may be dependent on array configuration and could be antagonistic or synergistic at the ecosystem scale. Effects of displacement, entanglement, and changes to oceanographic systems for arrays are less certain because little information is available about effects at the current scale of MRE development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lenaïg G Hemery
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Coastal Sciences Division, Sequim, WA, USA
| | - Andrea E Copping
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Coastal Sciences Division, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Fulton
- CSIRO Environment, Hobart, TAS, Australia; Centre for Marine Socioecology, University Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Andrew B Gill
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK
| | - Brian Polagye
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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5
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Pieniazek RH, Beach RK, Dycha GM, Mickle MF, Higgs DM. Navigating noisy waters: A review of field studies examining anthropogenic noise effects on wild fisha). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:2828-2842. [PMID: 37930177 DOI: 10.1121/10.0022254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise is globally increasing in aquatic ecosystems, and there is concern that it may have adverse consequences in many fish species, yet the effects of noise in field settings are not well understood. Concern over the applicability of laboratory-conducted bioacoustic experiments has led to a call for, and a recent increase in, field-based studies, but the results have been mixed, perhaps due to the wide variety of techniques used and species studied. Previous reviews have explored the behavioral, physiological, and/or anatomical costs of fish exposed to anthropogenic noise, but few, if any, have focused on the field techniques and sound sources themselves. This review, therefore, aims to summarize, quantify, and interpret field-based literature, highlight novel approaches, and provide recommendations for future research into the effects of noise on fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Pieniazek
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - R K Beach
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - G M Dycha
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - M F Mickle
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - D M Higgs
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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6
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Popper AN, Calfee RD. Sound and sturgeon: Bioacoustics and anthropogenic sounda). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:2021-2035. [PMID: 37782124 DOI: 10.1121/10.0021166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Sturgeons are basal bony fishes, most species of which are considered threatened and/or endangered. Like all fishes, sturgeons use hearing to learn about their environment and perhaps communicate with conspecifics, as in mating. Thus, anything that impacts the ability of sturgeon to hear biologically important sounds could impact fitness and survival of individuals and populations. There is growing concern that the sounds produced by human activities (anthropogenic sound), such as from shipping, commercial barge navigation on rivers, offshore windfarms, and oil and gas exploration, could impact hearing by aquatic organisms. Thus, it is critical to understand how sturgeon hear, what they hear, and how they use sound. Such data are needed to set regulatory criteria for anthropogenic sound to protect these animals. However, very little is known about sturgeon behavioral responses to sound and their use of sound. To help understand the issues related to sturgeon and anthropogenic sound, this review first examines what is known about sturgeon bioacoustics. It then considers the potential effects of anthropogenic sound on sturgeon and, finally identifies areas of research that could substantially improve knowledge of sturgeon bioacoustics and effects of anthropogenic sound. Filling these gaps will help regulators establish appropriate protection for sturgeon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur N Popper
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Robin D Calfee
- United States Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, USA
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7
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Multiple exposure to thunderstorm-sound in Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus): physiological response and stress recovery. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2022-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The present study investigated the impacts of multiple thunderstorm-sound exposures on growth and respiratory parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in order to evaluate the acoustic stress response. Thunderstorm-sound exposure for 3 hours triggered respiration speed with an alarm reflex and rapid elevation of opercula beat rate (OBR) and pectoral wing rate (PWR), which increased two-fold over the control with no sound treatment, and peaked (OBR, 71.33±5.86 beat/min; PWR, 75.00±3.61 beat/min) in 10 hours after initiation of sound. Thereafter, respiration rates declined over the following days and returned to near-initial levels (45.33±4.04 beat/min OBR and 43.00±1.00 beat/min PWR) by day-3, an indication that fish recovered from thunderstorm-sound stress after 3 days of exposure. However, the same reaction course was observed each time of multiple sound exposures, repeated 20 times in a row with 4 days intervals, underlining that fish could not attune to repeated thunderstorm-sound. Reduced voluntary feed intake as a result of anxiety and appetite loss was recorded in fish exposed to multiple thunderstorm-sound, resulting in 50 % less growth compared to those without sound treatment by the end of the 80 days experimentation. Therefore, it is advisable to monitor fish behavior during the 3 days stress-period after a thunderstorm event in order to prevent waste from excess feeding, that in turns may contribute environment-friendly aquaculture for the future and sustainability of the oceans.
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8
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Smith ME, Accomando AW, Bowman V, Casper BM, Dahl PH, Jenkins AK, Kotecki S, Popper AN. Physical effects of sound exposure from underwater explosions on Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus): Effects on the inner ear. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 152:733. [PMID: 36050166 DOI: 10.1121/10.0012991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the effects of sounds from underwater explosions on fishes have not included examination of potential effects on the ear. Caged Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus) located at seven distances (between approximately 35 and 800 m) from a single detonation of 4.5 kg of C4 explosives were exposed. After fish were recovered from the cages, the sensory epithelia of the saccular region of the inner ears were prepared and then examined microscopically. The number of hair cell (HC) ciliary bundles was counted at ten preselected 2500 μm2 regions. HCs were significantly reduced in fish exposed to the explosion as compared to the controls. The extent of these differences varied by saccular region, with damage greater in the rostral and caudal ends and minimal in the central region. The extent of effect also varied in animals at different distances from the explosion, with damage occurring in fish as far away as 400 m. While extrapolation to other species and other conditions (e.g., depth, explosive size, and distance) must be performed with extreme caution, the effects of explosive sounds should be considered when environmental impacts are estimated for marine projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Smith
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, USA
| | | | - Victoria Bowman
- Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California 92152, USA
| | - Brandon M Casper
- Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Groton, Connecticut 06349, USA
| | - Peter H Dahl
- Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - A Keith Jenkins
- Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California 92152, USA
| | - Sarah Kotecki
- Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, California 92152, USA
| | - Arthur N Popper
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
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9
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Popper AN, Hice-Dunton L, Jenkins E, Higgs DM, Krebs J, Mooney A, Rice A, Roberts L, Thomsen F, Vigness-Raposa K, Zeddies D, Williams KA. Offshore wind energy development: Research priorities for sound and vibration effects on fishes and aquatic invertebrates. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 151:205. [PMID: 35105040 DOI: 10.1121/10.0009237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There are substantial knowledge gaps regarding both the bioacoustics and the responses of animals to sounds associated with pre-construction, construction, and operations of offshore wind (OSW) energy development. A workgroup of the 2020 State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy identified studies for the next five years to help stakeholders better understand potential cumulative biological impacts of sound and vibration to fishes and aquatic invertebrates as the OSW industry develops. The workgroup identified seven short-term priorities that include a mix of primary research and coordination efforts. Key research needs include the examination of animal displacement and other behavioral responses to sound, as well as hearing sensitivity studies related to particle motion, substrate vibration, and sound pressure. Other needs include: identification of priority taxa on which to focus research; standardization of methods; development of a long-term highly instrumented field site; and examination of sound mitigation options for fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Effective assessment of potential cumulative impacts of sound and vibration on fishes and aquatic invertebrates is currently precluded by these and other knowledge gaps. However, filling critical gaps in knowledge will improve our understanding of possible sound-related impacts of OSW energy development to populations and ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur N Popper
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Lyndie Hice-Dunton
- Responsible Offshore Science Alliance, 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW #65036, Washington, DC 20036, USA
| | - Edward Jenkins
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, Maine 04103, USA
| | - Dennis M Higgs
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Justin Krebs
- AKRF, 7250 Parkway Drive, Suite 210, Hanover, Maryland 21076, USA
| | - Aran Mooney
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA
| | - Aaron Rice
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
| | - Louise Roberts
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | | | - Kathy Vigness-Raposa
- INSPIRE Environmental, 513 Broadway, Suite 314, Newport, Rhode Island 02840, USA
| | - David Zeddies
- JASCO Applied Sciences, 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 218, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA
| | - Kathryn A Williams
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, Maine 04103, USA
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10
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Niu F, Xue R, Yang Y, Chen B, Ruan H, Luo K. Baseline assessment of ocean ambient noise in the western Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113057. [PMID: 34673428 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ocean noise in the western Clarion Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean was recorded for 5 min every hour during 2017 and 2018, at a depth of 300 m. The monthly and hourly mean spectrum levels in the 20-1000 Hz band were calculated, along with their skewness, kurtosis, percentile distributions, and spectral probability densities. The high noise levels at low frequencies generated from distant shipping and vocalizations of whales were found to range between 70 and 100 dB (<100 Hz) and 64-93 dB (100-200 Hz), respectively. The noise levels at high frequencies (>200 Hz), which are typically dominated by wind, were found to be low, ranging from 53 to 75 dB. At frequencies above 200 Hz, noise levels in winter were approximately 5 dB higher than those in summer, consistent with the seasonal variations in wind speed. Fin whales, blue whales, and fishes also potentially contributed to variations in the baseline of ambient noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Niu
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China
| | - Ruichao Xue
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yanming Yang
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Benqing Chen
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China; Observation and Research Station of Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Beibu Gulf, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536015, China
| | - Hailin Ruan
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China
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Pine MK, Wilson L, Jeffs AG, McWhinnie L, Juanes F, Scuderi A, Radford CA. A Gulf in lockdown: How an enforced ban on recreational vessels increased dolphin and fish communication ranges. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2021; 27:4839-4848. [PMID: 34254409 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
From midnight of 26 March 2020, New Zealand became one of the first countries to enter a strict lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown banned all non-essential services and travel both on land and sea. Overnight, the country's busiest coastal waterway, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, became devoid of almost all recreational and non-essential commercial vessels. An almost instant change in the marine soundscape ensued, with ambient sound levels in busy channels dropping nearly threefold the first 12 h. This sudden drop led fish and dolphins to experience an immediate increase in their communication ranges by up to an estimated 65%. Very low vessel activity during the lockdown (indicated by the presence of vessel noise over the day) revealed new insights into cumulative noise effects from vessels on auditory masking. For example, at sites nearer Auckland City, communication ranges increased approximately 18 m (22%) or 50 m (11%) for every 10% decrease in vessel activity for fish and dolphins, respectively. However, further from the city and in deeper water, these communication ranges were increased by approximately 13 m (31%) or 510 m (20%). These new data demonstrate how noise from small vessels can impact underwater soundscapes and how marine animals will have to adapt to ever-growing noise pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Pine
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Louise Wilson
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew G Jeffs
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lauren McWhinnie
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Francis Juanes
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Alessia Scuderi
- Marine and Environmental Science Faculty, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
- Association Nereide, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Craig A Radford
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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12
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Noise Waveforms within Seabed Vibrations and Their Associated Evanescent Sound Fields. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9070733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the effects of sound pressures in water have been studied extensively, very much less work has been done on seabed vibrations. Our previous work used finite element modeling to interpret the results of field trials, studying propagation through graded seabeds as excited by impulsive energy applied to a point. A new simulation has successfully replicated further features of the original observations, and more field work has addressed other questions. We have concentrated on the water-particle motion near the seabed, as this is well known to be critical for benthic species. The evanescent pressure sound fields set up as the impulsive vibration energy passes are expected to be important for the local species, such as crabs and flatfish. By comparison with effects occurring away from boundaries, these seismic interface waves create vigorous water-particle motion but proportionately less sound pressure. This comparative increase ratio exceeds 12 for unconsolidated sediment areas, as typically used for piling operations.
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13
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Thomsen F, Erbe C, Hawkins A, Lepper P, Popper AN, Scholik-Schlomer A, Sisneros J. Introduction to the special issue on the effects of sound on aquatic life. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 148:934. [PMID: 32873007 DOI: 10.1121/10.0001725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of anthropogenic (man-made) underwater sound on aquatic life have become an important environmental issue. One of the focal ways to present and to share knowledge on the topic has been the international conference on The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life ("Aquatic Noise"). The conferences have brought together people from diverse interests and backgrounds to share information and ideas directed at understanding and solving the challenges of the potential effects of sound on aquatic life. The papers published here and in a related special issue of Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics present a good overview of the many topics and ideas covered at the meeting. Indeed, the growth in studies on anthropogenic sound since the first meeting in 2007 reflects the increasing use of oceans, lakes, rivers, and other waterways by humans. However, there are still very substantial knowledge gaps about the effects of sound on all aquatic animals, and these gaps lead to there being a substantial need for a better understanding of the sounds produced by various sources and how these sounds may affect animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Erbe
- Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Anthony Hawkins
- The Aquatic Noise Trust, Kincraig, Blairs, Aberdeen, AB12 5YT, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Lepper
- Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Arthur N Popper
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Amy Scholik-Schlomer
- National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA
| | - Joseph Sisneros
- Departments of Psychology and Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Popper AN, Hawkins AD, Thomsen F. Taking the Animals' Perspective Regarding Anthropogenic Underwater Sound. Trends Ecol Evol 2020; 35:787-794. [PMID: 32466956 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic (man-made) sound has the potential to harm marine biota. Increasing concerns about these effects have led to regulation and mitigation, despite there being few data on which to base environmental management, especially for fishes and invertebrates. We argue that regulation and mitigation should always be developed by looking at potential effects from the perspectives of the animals and ecosystems exposed to the sounds. We contend that there is currently a need for far more data on which to base regulation and mitigation, as well as for deciding on future research priorities. This will require a process whereby regulators and researchers come together to identify and implement a strategy that links key scientific and regulatory questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur N Popper
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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