Abstract
Accelerating coastal development is increasing the exposure of marine ecosystems to nighttime light pollution, but is anthropogenic light reaching the seafloor in sufficient quantities to have ecological impacts? Using a combination of mapping, and radiative transfer modelling utilising in situ measurements of optical seawater properties, we quantified artificial light exposure at the sea surface, beneath the sea surface, and at the sea floor of an urbanised temperate estuary bordered by an LED lit city. Up to 76% of the three-dimensional seafloor area was exposed to biologically important light pollution. Exposure to green wavelengths was highest, while exposure to red wavelengths was nominal. We conclude that light pollution from coastal cities is likely having deleterious impacts on seafloor ecosystems which provide vital ecosystem services. A comprehensive understanding of these impacts is urgently needed.
Highlights
Accelerating coastal development is increasing the exposure of marine ecosystems to nighttime light pollution, but is anthropogenic light reaching the seafloor in sufficient quantities to have ecological impacts? Using a combination of mapping, and radiative transfer modelling utilising in situ measurements of optical seawater properties, we quantified artificial light exposure at the sea surface, beneath the sea surface, and at the sea floor of an urbanised temperate estuary bordered by an Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) lit city
In-water radiative transfer modelling reveals that the larval and adult stages of zooplankton, tropical corals and temperate marine organisms are likely to respond to artificial sky glow down to depths of 70 m, and to waterside street lighting down to 100 m11
Using a combination of radiative transfer modelling and mapping accounting for in situ measured optical seawater properties, we quantified the downwelling irradiance of artificial light at the sea surface [Ed(0)], scalar irradiance just below
Summary
Accelerating coastal development is increasing the exposure of marine ecosystems to nighttime light pollution, but is anthropogenic light reaching the seafloor in sufficient quantities to have ecological impacts? Using a combination of mapping, and radiative transfer modelling utilising in situ measurements of optical seawater properties, we quantified artificial light exposure at the sea surface, beneath the sea surface, and at the sea floor of an urbanised temperate estuary bordered by an LED lit city. In-water radiative transfer modelling reveals that the larval and adult stages of zooplankton, tropical corals and temperate marine organisms are likely to respond to artificial sky glow (light scattered in the atmosphere and reflected back to the ground) down to depths of 70 m, and to waterside street lighting down to 100 m11. Given the high sensitivity of marine animals to light, and the extent of ALAN across coastal regions[5], large areas of seafloor habitat adjacent to urbanised coastlines are likely experiencing light pollution levels that are detectable to marine organisms and, as a consequence, impacting marine ecosystems. Given the pace at which LEDs are being adopted in coastal cities around the world, an understanding of the prevalence of ‘biologically important’ artificial light pollution (irradiances sufficient to elicit responses in marine organisms) is urgently needed
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