Cetacean vocalizations and anthropogenic noise levels in polar waters of the Atlantic

Abstract

Obtaining baseline information on the distribution of endangered species in polar waters is important as climate change may adversely affect this fragile environment. In 2009 we began an acoustic survey in the Greenland Sea and Fram Strait to monitor the low-frequency calls from marine mammals using these waters. We also documented sources and levels of ambient noise as these will change as human use of the area increases. We recorded the vocalizations of numerous marine mammals; here we report our results for fin (Balaenoptera physalus), blue (B. musculus), sei (B. borealis) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The 20 Hz pulses of fin whales were recorded in the fall and early winter months. Sounds from blue whales, sperm whales and sei whales were recorded primarily in the summer and early fall. Background noise levels were dominated by the sounds from seismic airguns during the spring, summer and fall; during summer these sounds were recorded in all hours of the day and in all days of a month. Future increases in oil exploration and ship traffic coincident with melting sea ice will increase ambient noise levels, potentially affecting the numerous species of vocalizing whales using this area.