scholarly journals Soundscape and ambient noise levels of the Arctic waters around Greenland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ladegaard ◽  
Jamie Macauley ◽  
Malene Simon ◽  
Kristin L. Laidre ◽  
Aleksandrina Mitseva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Greenland Sea ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Seismic Surveys

AbstractA longer Arctic open water season is expected to increase underwater noise levels due to anthropogenic activities such as shipping, seismic surveys, sonar, and construction. Many Arctic marine mammal species depend on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging, therefore quantifying underwater noise levels is critical for documenting change and providing input to management and legislation. Here we present long-term underwater sound recordings from 26 deployments around Greenland from 2011 to 2020. Ambient noise was analysed in third octave and decade bands and further investigated using generic detectors searching for tonal and transient sounds. Ambient noise levels partly overlap with previous Arctic observations, however we report much lower noise levels than previously documented, specifically for Melville Bay and the Greenland Sea. Consistent seasonal noise patterns occur in Melville Bay, Baffin Bay and Greenland Sea, with noise levels peaking in late summer and autumn correlating with open water periods and seismic surveys. These three regions also had similar tonal detection patterns that peaked in May/June, likely due to bearded seal vocalisations. Biological activity was more readily identified using detectors rather than band levels. We encourage additional research to quantify proportional noise contributions from geophysical, biological, and anthropogenic sources in Arctic waters.

scholarly journals Seasonal Patterns in Ocean Ambient Noise near Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories + Supplementary Appendix 1 (See Article Tools)

ARCTIC ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Insley ◽  
William D. Halliday ◽  
Tyler De Jong
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
The Impact

Ocean ambient noise is a crucial habitat feature for marine animals because it represents the lower threshold of their acoustically active space. Ambient noise is affected by noise from both natural sources, like wind and ice, and anthropogenic sources, such as shipping and seismic surveys. During the ice-covered season, ambient conditions in the Arctic are quieter than those in other regions because sea ice has a dampening effect. Arctic warming induced by climate change can raise noise levels by reducing sea ice coverage and increasing human activity, and these changes may negatively affect several species of marine mammals and other acoustically sensitive marine fauna. We document ambient noise off the west coast of Banks Island near Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, to provide baseline noise levels for the eastern Beaufort Sea. Noise levels were comparable to those found in other studies of the Canadian Arctic and Alaska and were typically much lower than levels reported farther south. Stronger wind increased noise, whereas greater ice concentration decreased it, dampening the effect of wind speed. Future work should expand monitoring to other locations in the Arctic, model the impact of increased human activities on ambient noise levels, and predict the impact of these changing levels on marine animals.

Underwater noise and Arctic marine mammals: review and policy recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Halliday ◽  
Matthew K. Pine ◽  
Stephen J. Insley
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Auditory Masking ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Ambient Sound

Underwater noise is an important issue globally. Underwater noise can cause auditory masking, behavioural disturbance, hearing damage, and even death for marine animals. While underwater noise levels have been increasing in nonpolar regions, noise levels are thought to be much lower in the Arctic where the presence of sea ice limits anthropogenic activities. However, climate change is causing sea ice to decrease, which is allowing for increased access for noisy anthropogenic activities. Underwater noise may have more severe impacts in the Arctic compared with nonpolar regions due to a combination of lower ambient sound levels and increased sensitivity of Arctic marine animals to underwater noise. Here, we review ambient sound levels in the Arctic, as well as the reactions of Arctic and sub-Arctic marine mammals to underwater noise. We then relate what is known about underwater noise in the Arctic to policies and management solutions for underwater noise and discuss whether Arctic-specific policies are necessary.

scholarly journals Temporal changes in anthropogenic seismic noise levels associated with economic and leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiro Nimiya ◽  
Tatsunori Ikeda ◽  
Takeshi Tsuji
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Noise ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Tokyo Metropolitan Area ◽  
Day Of The Week

AbstractSeismic ambient noise with frequencies > 1 Hz includes noise related to human activities. A reduction in seismic noise during the COVID-19 pandemic has been observed worldwide, as restrictions were imposed to control outbreaks of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this context, we studied the effect of changes in anthropogenic activities during COVID-19 on the seismic noise levels in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan, considering time of day, day of the week, and seasonal changes. The results showed the largest reduction in noise levels during the first state of emergency under most conditions. After the first state of emergency was lifted, the daytime noise reverted to previous levels immediately on weekdays and gradually on Sundays. This was likely because economic activities instantly resumed, while non-essential outings on Sundays were still mostly avoided. Furthermore, the daytime noise level on Sundays was strongly reduced regardless of changes on weekdays after the second state of emergency, which restricted activities mainly at night. Sunday noise levels gradually increased from the middle of the second state of emergency, suggesting a gradual reduction in public concern about COVID-19 following a decrease in the number of infections. Our findings demonstrate that seismic noise can be used to monitor social activities.

scholarly journals Ballroom Music Spillover into a Beluga Whale Aquarium Exhibit

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Scheifele ◽  
John Greer Clark ◽  
Kristine Sonstrom ◽  
Huikwan Kim ◽  
Gopu Potty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Plane Wave ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Transmission Loss ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Sound Levels

It is not uncommon for modern aquaria to be built with special entertainment areas. There are no known measurements of sound spillover from such entertainment areas into underwater animal exhibits. Entertainment organizations typically prefer to play music for events at 95 and 100 dBA in a ballroom at Georgia Aquarium. Concern over the potential effects of the music and noise on animals in adjacent exhibits inspired an initial project to monitor and compare sound levels in the adjacent underwater exhibits against the typical in-air sound levels of the ballroom. Measured underwater noise levels were compared to modeled levels based on finite element analysis and plane wave transmission loss calculations through the acrylic viewing window. Results were compared with the model to determine how, if at all, the ambient noise level in the Cold Water Quest exhibit changed as a result of music played in the ballroom.

scholarly journals Temporal changes in anthropogenic seismic noise levels associated with economic and leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiro Nimiya ◽  
Tatsunori Ikeda ◽  
Takeshi Tsuji
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Noise ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Tokyo Metropolitan Area ◽  
Day Of The Week

Abstract Seismic ambient noise with frequencies > 1 Hz includes noise related to human activities. A reduction in seismic noise during the COVID-19 pandemic has been observed worldwide, as restrictions were imposed to control outbreaks of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this context, we studied the effect of changes in anthropogenic activities during COVID-19 on the seismic noise levels in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan, considering time of day, day of the week, and seasonal changes. The results showed the largest reduction in noise levels during the first state of emergency under most conditions. After the first state of emergency was lifted, the daytime noise reverted to previous levels immediately on weekdays and gradually on Sundays. This was likely because economic activities instantly resumed, while non-essential outings on Sundays were still mostly avoided. Furthermore, the daytime noise level on Sundays was strongly reduced regardless of changes on weekdays after the second state of emergency, which restricted activities mainly at night. Sunday noise levels gradually increased from the middle of the second state of emergency, suggesting a gradual reduction in public concern about COVID-19 following a decrease in the number of infections. Our findings demonstrate that seismic noise can be used to monitor social activities.

scholarly journals Author Correction: Soundscape and ambient noise levels of the Arctic waters around Greenland

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ladegaard ◽  
Jamie Macaulay ◽  
Malene Simon ◽  
Kristin L. Laidre ◽  
Aleksandrina Mitseva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Noise ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Noise Levels

scholarly journals Sounds of Stress: Assessment of Relationships between Ambient Noise, Vessel Traffic, and Gray whale Stress Hormone

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila S. Lemos ◽  
Joseph H. Haxel ◽  
Amy Olsen ◽  
Jonathan D. Burnett ◽  
Angela Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Gray Whale ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Baleen Whales ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Ocean Noise ◽  
Metabolite Concentrations ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Elevated noise from human activities in nature can impact animal behavior and physiology, with subsequent impacts on individual health and population dynamics. Baleen whale communication, navigation, habitat use, and ability to recognize and locate prey and predators may be impaired by anthropogenic activities that increase ocean noise within the whales' hearing frequency range. To understand the physiological impacts of noise disturbance on baleen whales, we investigated the adrenal stress response of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) to variable ambient noise levels through an assessment of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations. This analysis was conducted at the individual level, at multiple temporal scales (1-7 days), and accounted for factors that may confound glucocorticoid hormone concentrations: sex, age, nutritional status, and reproductive state. Data were collected along the Oregon coast, USA, from June to October of 2016-2018. Results indicate a significant positive correlation between underwater noise levels and vessel traffic. Vessel counts from the day prior to fecal sample collection and sex had significant positive relationships with glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations. This study increases knowledge of gray whale physiological response to variable ocean noise and may inform management decisions regarding regulations of anthropogenic noise activities and thresholds near critical whale habitats.

POLAR LOW DETECTION USING SOLAB SIOWS ARCTIC PORTAL

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Mashtaler ◽  
Olga Mashtaler ◽  
Alexander Myasoedov ◽  
Alexander Myasoedov ◽  
Elizaveta Zabolotskikh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Development ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Open Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Polar Lows ◽  
Statistical Regularities ◽  
Meteorological Observations ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
Synthetic Aperture Radars

The relevance of the polar lows (PLs) research is justified by their great destructive power and creation of threat to the safety of navigation in the high latitudes and along the Northern Sea Route. The most dangerous effects on maritime activities are strong winds, waves and icing. In addition, the study of the PLs acquires relevance due to the sharp decrease of the sea ice area in the Arctic in recent years and the emergence of areas of open water, suitable for the appearance and development of PLs. However, despite the importance of PLs, they are apparently not sufficiently studied. As there are no meteorological observations in the areas of their appearance, the main source of information about them are satellite observations. By using images on the SOLab SIOWS Arctic Portal from multiple satellites operating in the IR and visible ranges (e.g., MODIS and AVHRR), and using near-water wind fields from high resolution synthetic aperture radars (Sentine-1, ASAR) and low resolution scatterometers (ASCAT), we identify polar lows in various parts of the Arctic, revealing statistical regularities in the appearance of PLs, their distribution and intensity. Collected database of Pls and their characteristics will be used for further PLs forecasting model development.

scholarly journals N2O dynamics in the western Arctic Ocean during the summer of 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jang-Mu Heo ◽  
Seong-Su Kim ◽  
Sung-Ho Kang ◽  
Eun Jin Yang ◽  
Ki-Tae Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Chukchi Sea ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Western Arctic Ocean ◽  
Deep Layers ◽  
Western Arctic

AbstractThe western Arctic Ocean (WAO) has experienced increased heat transport into the region, sea-ice reduction, and changes to the WAO nitrous oxide (N2O) cycles from greenhouse gases. We investigated WAO N2O dynamics through an intensive and precise N2O survey during the open-water season of summer 2017. The effects of physical processes (i.e., solubility and advection) were dominant in both the surface (0–50 m) and deep layers (200–2200 m) of the northern Chukchi Sea with an under-saturation of N2O. By contrast, both the surface layer (0–50 m) of the southern Chukchi Sea and the intermediate (50–200 m) layer of the northern Chukchi Sea were significantly influenced by biogeochemically derived N2O production (i.e., through nitrification), with N2O over-saturation. During summer 2017, the southern region acted as a source of atmospheric N2O (mean: + 2.3 ± 2.7 μmol N2O m−2 day−1), whereas the northern region acted as a sink (mean − 1.3 ± 1.5 μmol N2O m−2 day−1). If Arctic environmental changes continue to accelerate and consequently drive the productivity of the Arctic Ocean, the WAO may become a N2O “hot spot”, and therefore, a key region requiring continued observations to both understand N2O dynamics and possibly predict their future changes.

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