Abstract
This study examined the effects of exposure to a single acoustic pulse from a seismic airgun array on caged endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and on paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) in Lake Sakakawea (North Dakota, USA). The experiment was designed to detect the onset of physiological responses including minor to mortal injuries. Experimental fish were held in cages as close as 1 to 3 m from the guns where peak negative sound pressure levels (Peak- SPL) reached 231 dB re 1 μPa (205 dB re 1 μPa2·s sound exposure level [SEL]). Additional cages were placed at greater distances in an attempt to develop a dose-response relationship. Treatment and control fish were then monitored for seven days, euthanized, and necropsied to determine injuries. Necropsy results indicated that the probability of delayed mortality associated with pulse pressure following the seven day monitoring period was the same for exposed and control fish of both species. Exposure to a single pulse from a small air gun array (10,160 cm3) was not lethal for pallid sturgeon and paddlefish. However, the risks from exposure to multiple sounds and to sound exposure levels that exceed those reported here remain to be examined.
Highlights
While there is growing interest in the potential impact of man-made sounds on aquatic organisms, very little is known about the effects of high-intensity sound exposure on fishes
The site for the fish exposure study was chosen for its relative proximity to the Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery (GDNFH) and ease of moving animals to the lake, the availability of a staging area for the study, and because it was an area with low likelihood of occurrence of wild pallid sturgeon and paddlefish so as not to potentially impact non-experimental animals
The analyses provided no definite evidence of increased mortality or mortal injury to paddlefish subjected to sound exposure
Summary
While there is growing interest in the potential impact of man-made (anthropogenic) sounds on aquatic organisms, very little is known about the effects of high-intensity sound exposure on fishes No Hess employee was party to any aspect of the project from design to data analysis and reaching conclusions. The other organizations listed as providing funding only did this in the form of salaries for authors that was derived from subcontracts with CSA [JAG, TJC, JVY, ADH, DZ], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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