Impact Of Anthropogenic Noise Research Articles

Navigating the Marine Strategy Framework Directive D11: Updates on Threshold Values and Future Perspectives

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), enacted by the European Union in 2008, seeks to achieve a Good Environmental Status for European seas through 11 qualitative descriptors. This paper specifically examines Descriptor 11 (D11), which focuses on the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine ecosystems. Despite significant advancements and extensive work done by expert groups and researchers to establish methodologies for assessing this issue, critical gaps remain, such as the effects of anthropogenic noise on many marine species, including cetaceans. As the second MSFD cycle concludes, this paper emphasizes the need for further research on other forms of energy, such as electromagnetic fields, and advocates for standardized approaches, including a unified Level of Onset of Adverse Biological Effects (LOBE) for species and habitat.

Urbanisation and boating are the main contributors to underwater soundscapes in three temperate estuaries

Anthropogenic noise has been identified as one of the most harmful forms of global pollutants impacting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As global populations continue to increase, coastlines are seeing substantial increases in the level of urbanisation. Although measures are in place to minimise stress on fauna, they rarely consider the impact of anthropogenic noise. In Australia, New South Wales (NSW) estuaries have seen extensive increases in urbanisation in recent years. Yet, there remains minimal baseline data on their soundscapes to determine if noise pollution is a threat. This research provides a first assessment of baseline sounds across a temporal and seasonal scale. Recreational boating was the primary soundscape contributor in estuaries, and estuaries with higher urbanisation levels contained higher sound levels. This research provides useful information for managers of NSW estuaries and is of global relevance in an era of increasing generation of anthropogenic noise in estuarine and coastal systems.

Cost-benefits analysis of noise abatement measures in the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Impacts of anthropogenic noise on human beings range from physiological to phycological and include direct damage to auditory organs, to elevated stress and annoyance, to impairments in mental development. Maritime transportation operations are also recognized as a major contributor of anthropogenic noise to nearby communities. The Port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada may be a contributor to these concerns because of its noise emitting operations and it being near densely populated areas. This study examines the cost and benefits of implementing noise abatement measures to reduce potential impacts on residents by limiting road and rail traffic and cargo handling noise from Port operations. The upfront investment costs of noise abatement measures are estimated and compared to the associated human health and wellbeing benefits of reducing noise exposures in exposed residential areas. The hedonic price method was used to translate the benefits of reducing noise exposures in monetary terms. Geospatial analysis was conducted to analyze extent of dwellings exposed to unsafe levels of noise before and after the implementation of abatement measures. Total costs were calculated at $6,914,318 CAD and total benefits at $4,127,870 CAD. This equates to a return of investment of $-2,786,448 CAD. Although this may appear to be an unfavourable investment for the Port of Halifax, this study presents opportunities for improvements and recommendations for noise abatement in port operations.

Impact of anthropogenic noise on the survival and development of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) early life stages

The growth of human populations has been driving an unprecedent and widespread increase in marine traffic, posing a real threat to marine biodiversity. Even though we are now aware of the negative effects of shipping noise exposure on fish, information about the impact on their early life stages continues to lack. Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a vocal fish that uses estuaries with high levels of anthropogenic noise pollution as both breeding areas and nurseries. Here, the effects of boat noise exposure on the development and survival of meagre larvae were studied.Embryos and larvae were exposed to either noise (boat noise playback) or control treatments (coils producing a similar electric field to the speakers) and hatching rate, survival rate, morphometric traits and stress-related biomarkers, at hatching and at 2 days-post-hatching (dph) were analyzed. Results showed no conclusive effects of the impact of boat noise playback, even though there was an increased lipid droplet consumption and a decrease in body depth at 2dph larvae under this stressor. The assessment of oxidative stress and energy metabolism-related biomarkers at hatching showed a marginal decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and no changes in DNA damage or electron transport system activity (ETS), although it cannot be disregarded that those effects could only be visible at later stages of larval development. Whether these morphological and developmental results have implications in later stages remains to be investigated. Further studies with longer exposure and wild meagre could help deepen this knowledge and provide a better understanding of how anthropogenic noise can impact meagre early stages.

Assessing the impacts of anthropogenic sounds on early stages of benthic invertebrates: The “Larvosonic system”

AbstractNoise produced by human activities has increased in the oceans over the last decades. Whereas most studies have focused on the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals and fishes, those focusing on marine invertebrates are rarer and more recent, especially when considering peri‐metamorphic benthic stages, highly sensitive to anthropogenic perturbations. A careful review of the literature reveals a simplistic characterization of the acoustics within the containers used to quantify larval and juvenile responses to noise, thus weakening the conclusions of such works. To address this problem, we developed the Larvosonic system, a laboratory tank equipped with acoustic assets to assess the impacts of noise on young stages of marine invertebrates. We first provide a careful analysis of the tank sound field using different sound types, and we assess the effects of expanded polystyrene units on the sounds emitted by a professional audio system in order to dampen reverberation and resonance. Then, we apply this acoustic calibration to the effects of both pile driving and drilling noises on postlarvae of the scallop bivalve Pecten maximus. Acoustic recordings highlight that diffuser and bass trap components constitute effective underwater sound absorbents, reducing the reflection of the whole frequency bandwidth. Scallop experiments reveal that both type and level of the tested noise influenced postlarval growth, with interactive effects between trophic environment and noise level/spectra. The Larvosonic system thus constitutes an efficient tool for bioacoustics research on bentho‐planktonic invertebrate species.

Leafcutter ants adjust foraging behaviours when exposed to noise disturbance.

We investigate the impact of anthropogenic noise on the foraging efficiency of leafcutter ants (Acromyrmex octospinosus) in a controlled laboratory experiment. Anthropogenic noise is a widespread, pervasive and increasing environmental pollutant and its negative impacts on animal fitness and behaviour have been well documented. Much of this evidence has come from studies concerning vertebrate species with very little evidence for terrestrial invertebrates, especially social living invertebrates. We compare movement speed, forage fragment size, and colony activity levels of ants exposed to intermittent elevated noise and in ambient noise conditions. We use intermittent and temporally unpredictable bursts of white noise produced from a vibration speaker to create the elevated noise profile. Ant movement speed increased under elevated noise conditions when travelling to collect forage material and when returning to the colony nest. The size of individually measured foraged material was significantly reduced under elevated noise conditions. Colony activity, the number of ants moving along the forage route, was not affected by elevated noise and was consistent throughout the foraging events. Increased foraging speed and smaller forage fragments suggests that the ants had to make more foraging trips over an extended period, which is likely to affect energy expenditure and increases exposure to predators. This is likely to have significant fitness impacts for the colony over time.

The influence of anthropogenic noise on the behavior of male mantled howler monkeys.

Anthropogenic noise is increasingly disturbing natural soundscapes and affecting the physiology, behavior, and fitness of wildlife. However, our knowledge about the impact of anthropogenic noise on wild primates is scant. Here, we assess the effects of anthropogenic noise on the behavior of male mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata). Specifically, we describe the types, rates, and sound pressure level (SPL) of anthropogenic noise that occurs in areas inhabited by mantled howler monkeys and determine if the behavioral responses of males to anthropogenic noise are influenced by noise attributes. For 1 year (1753 h), we characterized anthropogenic noise in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (Veracruz, Mexico) and studied the behavior of males belonging to five groups. Anthropogenic noise was common, diverse, and varied among areas in terms of rate, type, and SPL. Males did not display behavioral responses toward most (60%) anthropogenic noises, but were more likely to respond to certain noise types (e.g., aerial traffic) and toward noise with high SPL. Group identity influenced the likelihood of displaying behavioral responses to noise. The most common behavioral responses were vocalizations and vigilance. Males vocalized in response to noise with high SPL, although this relationship depended on group identity. The effect of the number of noises on vocalizations also varied among groups. Males were more likely to display vigilance toward high SPL and infrequent noise, but, again, these relationships varied among groups. In sum, anthropogenic noise is pervasive in areas inhabited by mantled howler monkeys and influences male behavior. Experience and frequency of exposure may modulate the behavioral responses of male mantled howler monkeys to noise and explain the group differences.

The impact of anthropogenic noise on individual identification via female song in Black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)

When anthropogenic noise occurs simultaneously with an acoustic signal or cue, it can be difficult for an animal to interpret the information encoded within vocalizations. However, limited research has focused on how anthropogenic noise affects the identification of acoustic communication signals. In songbirds, research has also shown that black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) will shift the pitch and change the frequency at which they sing in the presence of anthropogenic, and experimental noise. Black-capped chickadees produce several vocalizations; their fee-bee song is used for mate attraction and territorial defence, and contains information about dominance hierarchy and native geographic location. Previously, we demonstrated that black-capped chickadees can discriminate between individual female chickadees via their fee-bee songs. Here we used an operant discrimination go/no-go paradigm to discern whether the ability to discriminate between individual female chickadees by their song would be impacted by differing levels of anthropogenic noise. Following discrimination training, two levels of anthropogenic noise (low: 40 dB SPL; high: 75 dB SPL) were played with stimuli to determine how anthropogenic noise would impact discrimination. Results showed that even with low-level noise (40 dB SPL) performance decreased and high-level (75 dB SPL) noise was increasingly detrimental to discrimination. We learned that perception of fee-bee songs does change in the presence of anthropogenic noise such that birds take significantly longer to learn to discriminate between females, but birds were able to generalize responding after learning the discrimination. These results add to the growing literature underscoring the impact of human-made noise on avian wildlife, specifically the impact on perception of auditory signals.

A global synthesis of the impacts of urbanization on bird dawn choruses

Urbanization drives changes in acoustic communication systems in some animal species. Noise and light pollution are among the main urban factors known to disrupt the timing and structure of avian singing behaviour. Despite our understanding of the ways in which urbanization can drive variations in avian acoustic communication, our ability to generalize the underlying causes of such variation and its consequences is still limited. Here, we reviewed the literature focused on the study of avian dawn choruses in urban settings at a global scale. Our findings reveal that avian dawn chorus research has focused on the impact of anthropogenic noise on dawn chorus traits (i.e. timing, peak, song output, song frequencies); relationships between light pollution and chorus timing; the effects of temperature, cloudiness, moonlight and natural light on chorus timing; relationships between nocturnal noise and light, and dawn chorus timing; the effects of chemical pollution and supplementary feeding on dawn chorus activity; and ecological patterns of dawn choruses in soundscapes across urban–non‐urban gradients. We identified important knowledge gaps in the study of avian dawn choruses in urban settings and thus suggest future research directions, including frameworks (e.g. the urbanization intensity gradient) and consideration of a wider array of urban conditions and variables. Given the complexity of urban settings, we encourage further studies to address the role that all sources of pollution can have on avian acoustic communication at dawn. Additionally, a central question to resolve is whether the function of avian dawn choruses in urban areas differs, and if so how, from non‐urban counterparts. Given that most research has been performed across Holarctic cities and towns, studies from tropical and subtropical regions are needed if we aim to understand the phenomenon globally. Finally, studies at the community‐ and soundscape‐level across cities could advance understanding of the way in which urban birds use the acoustic space during the most critical singing time period, dawn.

A quantitative soundscape analysis of the Canadian Arctic, 2014–2019

In the Arctic, sound levels have historically been strongly tied to sea ice and wind speed, with very little impact of anthropogenic noise. However, climate change is causing a loss of sea ice, and consequently increased ship traffic and anthropogenic underwater noise. Here, we present the first quantitative, comparative analysis of underwater sound levels across the Canadian Arctic. We analyzed 39 passive acoustic datasets collected throughout the Canadian Arctic from 2014 to 2019 to examine spatial and temporal trends in sound pressure levels (SPL), quantify environment drivers of SPL, and estimate the influence of ship traffic on SPL. Daily mean SPL in the 50–1000 Hz bandwidth ranged from 70 to 127 dB re 1 μPa (median = 91 dB). SPL increased as wind speed increased, but decreased as both ice concentration and air temperature increased. The highest SPLs were in August-October, and the lowest in March–April. SPL increased as the number of ships increased. The highest mean SPLs were recorded near southeast Baffin Island, but the most ship noise was recorded near Pond Inlet (>1 ship/day in summer). This study provides an important baseline for underwater sound levels in the Canadian Arctic, and fills many geographic gaps on published underwater sound levels.

Anthropogenic noise and the many acoustic modalities of terrestrial invertebrates

Anthropogenic noise is widely recognized as an issue of environmental concern. However, research to date has focused on the impacts of far-field airborne noise (i.e., pressure waves) on vertebrates while the impact of noise on invertebrates, and the other acoustic modalities they rely on, has received little attention. Although some terrestrial invertebrates use far-field sound for communication, the majority rely on near-field airborne and substrate-borne sound (i.e., particle motion and vibrations, respectively). We discuss what little information is known about the impact of anthropogenic noise on invertebrates and make predictions based on studies of invertebrate bioacoustics. Furthermore, we discuss the ways that noise in each acoustic modality (far-field airborne, near-field airborne, and substrate-borne) might affect communication of terrestrial invertebrates and highlight the most pressing lines of inquiry for future research.

Long-term sound and movement recording tags to study natural behavior and reaction to ship noise of seals.

The impact of anthropogenic noise on marine fauna is of increasing conservation concern with vessel noise being one of the major contributors. Animals that rely on shallow coastal habitats may be especially vulnerable to this form of pollution.Very limited information is available on how much noise from ship traffic individual animals experience, and how they may react to it due to a lack of suitable methods. To address this, we developed long‐duration audio and 3D‐movement tags (DTAGs) and deployed them on three harbor seals and two gray seals in the North Sea during 2015–2016.These tags recorded sound, accelerometry, magnetometry, and pressure continuously for up to 21 days. GPS positions were also sampled for one seal continuously throughout the recording period. A separate tag, combining a camera and an accelerometer logger, was deployed on two harbor seals to visualize specific behaviors that helped interpret accelerometer signals in the DTAG data.Combining data from depth, accelerometer, and audio sensors, we found that animals spent 6.6%–42.3% of the time hauled out (either on land or partly submerged), and 5.3%–12.4% of their at‐sea time resting at the sea bottom, while the remaining time was used for traveling, resting at surface, and foraging. Animals were exposed to audible vessel noise 2.2%–20.5% of their time when in water, and we demonstrate that interruption of functional behaviors (e.g., resting) in some cases coincides with high‐level vessel noise. Two‐thirds of the ship noise events were traceable by the AIS vessel tracking system, while one‐third comprised vessels without AIS.This preliminary study demonstrates how concomitant long‐term continuous broadband on‐animal sound and movement recordings may be an important tool in future quantification of disturbance effects of anthropogenic activities at sea and assessment of long‐term population impacts on pinnipeds.

Describing new fish sounds from the northeast Pacific: A quantitative approach

In order to identify fish sounds in British Columbia soundscapes, we need catalogues of validated fish sounds from Pacific species. These catalogues will help in comparing validated examples to unknown sounds found in long-term autonomous recordings. In addition, it is important that the sounds be described quantitatively for accurate identification and comparison. Our goal is to contribute to building such catalogues and to fill knowledge gaps in fish acoustic behaviour to support studies on the impact of anthropogenic noise on Pacific fishes. Since distinguishing sound sources in the ocean is extremely difficult, we are collaborating with aquaria, marine science centers and ocean-based aquaculture facilities to monitor, audition and record the acoustic behaviour of captive and semi-captive fish species. To date, we have acquired over 3,000 hours of recordings in these conditions. Sounds that we have already validated include Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), and grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus richardsonii) vocalizations. Here, we will present a description of these newly validated sounds.

Auditioning fish for sound production in captivity to contribute to a catalogue of known fish sounds to inform regional passive acoustic studies

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is increasingly used as a method to characterize underwater soundscapes and the impacts of noise on marine ecosystems. The natural sounds produced by marine mammals have been widely studied, enabling the use of PAM as an effective conservation tool. However, much less is known about fish sound production, particularly in the northeast Pacific. This lack of information makes it difficult to identify fish sounds that are present in long-term recordings and thus precluding accurate determination of fish species composition and evaluation of the effects of noise on fishes. In order to identify fish sounds in British Columbia soundscapes, we need catalogues of validated fish sounds from Pacific species. These catalogs will help in comparing validated examples to unknown sounds found in long-term autonomous recordings. Our goal is to contribute to building such catalogues and to fill knowledge gaps in fish acoustic behaviour to support studies on the impact of anthropogenic noise on Pacific fishes. We are collaborating with aquaria, ocean-based aquaculture facilities and commercial fisheries to monitor, audition, and record the acoustic behavior of captive and semi-captive fish species. Here, we will present the results of these studies.

A study on the influence of hull wake on model scale cavitation and noise tests for a fast twin screw vessel with inclined shaft

The study of ship underwater radiated noise is nowadays a topic of great and largely recognized importance. This is due to the fact that in the last decades, the problem of the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine life has been addressed with higher emphasis, giving rise to different efforts aimed to the analysis of its effects on different organisms and, in parallel, to means for the reduction of shipping noise. In this context, attention is focused on the propeller noise, which, in cavitating conditions, may represent the most important noise source of the ship. The propeller noise has been studied for long time with different approaches. One of the most effective approaches is represented by model scale testing in cavitation tunnels or similar facilities. Despite having been adopted for several years, radiated noise experiments in model scale are usually affected by significant scale effects and technical issues. One of these aspects is represented by the correct modelling of the propeller inflow; different techniques are adopted, depending on the facility, in order to reproduce a certain target wake. One of the main problems is to define this target wake, which should in principle coincide with the ship wake; as it is well known, it is usually derived from model scale towing tank measurements, with the necessity for the prediction of the full-scale wake field. Starting from the outcomes of a previous work on the influence of different approaches for the prediction of the full-scale wake field for a single screw ship, in this work, attention is focused on the case of a fast twin screw vessel, analysing the different issues which may be connected to this hull form.

Potential Uses of Anthropogenic Noise as a Source of Information in Animal Sensory and Communication Systems.

Although current research on the impact of anthropogenic noise has focused on the detrimental effects, there is a range of ways by which animals could benefit from increased noise levels. Here we discuss two potential uses of anthropogenic noise. First, local variations in the ambient-noise field could be used to perceive objects and navigate within an environment. Second, introduced sound cues could be used as a signal for prey detection or orientation and navigation. Although the disadvantages of noise pollution will likely outweigh any positive effects, it is important to acknowledge that such changes may benefit some species.

Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Aquatic Animals: From Single Species to Community-Level Effects.

Anthropogenic noise underwater is on the rise and may affect aquatic animals of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Many recent studies concern some sort of impact assessment of a single species. Few studies addressed the noise impact on species interactions underwater, whereas there are some studies that address community-level impact but only on land in air. Key processes such as predator-prey or competitor interactions may be affected by the masking of auditory cues, noise-related disturbance, or attentional interference. Noise-associated changes in these interactions can cause shifts in species abundance and modify communities, leading to fundamental ecosystem changes. To gain further insight into the mechanism and generality of earlier findings, we investigated the impact on both a predator and a prey species in captivity, zebrafish (Danio rerio) preying on waterfleas (Daphnia magna).

Environmental impact assessment guidelines for offshore petroleum exploration seismic surveys

The ocean environment is filled with natural sound, but the last century has introduced many anthropogenic activities that have increased the levels of noise. Research on the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine fauna is now extensive. Levels of threat are well defined. Mitigation and monitoring guidelines exist in many parts of the world; especially for offshore petroleum exploration. In many jurisdictions, these guidelines rely on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) consideration by decision-makers, yet few jurisdictions stipulate what such assessments should contain. Sound propagation in the marine environment is complex, yet robust and defensible modelling is rarely conducted. Many impact assessments are inadequately checked. This stands in contrast to the equivalent process for land-based assessments. We argue that defensible EIAs should include modelling of the proposed noise impact in the region and under the conditions of planned activity. We articulate why clear guidelines about the content of EIAs are needed and propose a template for offshore petroleum exploration assessment.

Impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine life: Publication patterns, new discoveries, and future directions in research and management

Anthropogenic underwater noise is now recognized as a world-wide problem, and recent studies have shown a broad range of negative effects in a variety of taxa. Underwater noise from shipping is increasingly recognized as a significant and pervasive pollutant with the potential to impact marine ecosystems on a global scale. We reviewed six regional case studies as examples of recent research and management activities relating to ocean noise in a variety of taxonomic groups, locations, and approaches. However, as no six projects could ever cover all taxa, sites and noise sources, a brief bibliometric analysis places these case studies into the broader historical and topical context of the peer-reviewed ocean noise literature as a whole. The case studies highlighted emerging knowledge of impacts, including the ways that non-injurious effects can still accumulate at the population level, and detailed approaches to guide ocean noise management. They build a compelling case that a number of anthropogenic noise types can affect a variety of marine taxa. Meanwhile, the bibliometric analyses revealed an increasing diversity of ocean noise topics covered and journal outlets since the 1940s. This could be seen in terms of both the expansion of the literature from more physical interests to ecological impacts of noise, management and policy, and consideration of a widening range of taxa. However, if our scientific knowledge base is ever to get ahead of the curve of rapid industrialization of the ocean, we are going to have to identify naïve populations and relatively pristine seas, and construct mechanistic models, so that we can predict impacts before they occur, and guide effective mitigation for the most vulnerable populations.

Relative effects of ambient noise and habitat openness on signal transfer for chickadee vocalizations in rural and urban green-spaces

Urbanization creates communication challenges for many species. Birds in particular rely on vocal communication for reproduction and territory defence, but in noisy or acoustically altered environments signals may be compromised. Both ambient noise and habitat openness affect signal transfer, but it is not clear how these two variables interact in urban green-spaces. Using black-capped and mountain chickadee vocalizations, we conducted transmission experiments to measure acoustic degradation and signal-to-noise ratios among a replicated set of transects spanning a range of both ambient noise levels and habitat openness. We used Akaike information criterion (AIC), an information theoretic approach, for selection and averaging of five alternative linear mixed models. We found ambient noise strongly and negatively correlated with relative signal amplitude and detection of signal features. In contrast, habitat openness appeared to have little effect on signal transfer. We also confirmed that urban green-spaces had significantly greater ambient noise levels than rural sites, which suggests that the dominant impact of anthropogenic noise on signal transfer should be an issue of concern to species conservation within these urban green-spaces.