A severe red tide (Tampa Bay, 2005) causes an anomalous decrease in biological sound.

Katherine L Indeck,Peter Simard,Shannon Gowans,Susan Lowerre-Barbieri,David A Mann

doi:10.1098/rsos.150337

Abstract

Although harmful algal blooms (HABs) are known to cause morbidity and mortality in marine organisms, their sublethal effects are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare ambient noise levels during a severe HAB event in Tampa Bay, Florida, to those during non-HAB periods. Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted using bottom-mounted autonomous acoustic recorders during a severe HAB in summer 2005, and in summers 2006, 2011 and 2012 (non-severe HAB years). Ambient noise levels were significantly higher during the non-HAB years due to an abundance of snapping shrimp (Alpheidae) sounds and fish chorusing. The difference of sound intensity between the study years is most likely attributable to effects of the HAB on the abundance and/or behaviour of fish and snapping shrimp as a result of mortality and stress-induced behavioural modifications.

Highlights

Harmful algal blooms (HABs or ‘red tides’) are characterized by the proliferation of toxic microscopic algae
In 2006, the year immediately following the severe harmful algal blooms (HABs), sounds from snapping shrimp were high in the acoustic recordings
Several studies have found that different species exhibit varying degrees of behavioural responses to brevetoxin exposure, ranging from low sensitivity to severe behavioural abnormalities [14,15,16]

Summary

Introduction

Harmful algal blooms (HABs or ‘red tides’) are characterized by the proliferation of toxic microscopic algae. In Florida (USA), HABs are common and frequently caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, which produces potent neurotoxins known as brevetoxins. Brevetoxins can affect the central nervous system of marine organisms by interfering with proper nerve transmission [1,2], causing morbidity and mortality [1,3]. In 2005, Tampa Bay, Florida, and its adjacent waters experienced a severe HAB event, which was manifested by.

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