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.

Noise and Other Environmental Considerations in the Design and Planning of Gas Compressor Stations in the U.K.

1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Cleveland
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Paper Briefly ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Natural Gas Transmission ◽  
Environmental Considerations ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Gas Turbine Compressor ◽  
Alternative Designs

This paper briefly outlines some of the considerations taken into account in the design and planning of gas compressor stations for the UK Natural Gas Transmission System. Environmental considerations, and in particular the aspects of noise, play a large part in the design of these stations. The requirements for silencing to meet very low ambient noise levels and the development of gas turbine compressor unit enclosures is dealt with in some detail. The need for acoustically efficient and aesthetically pleasing structures is emphasized. The paper compares some representative alternative designs for individual enclosures with the design of an equivalent building and concludes that for small numbers of units, the individual enclosure is the economic solution. Other aspects of noise, including venting of gas are discussed and future design trends indicated. In the consideration of future designs, ease of maintenance and security are fundamental considerations, together with the need to ensure that noise emitted will not pollute the environment.

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 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 Dolphins simplify their vocal calls in response to increased ambient noise

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 20180484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Fouda ◽  
Jessica E. Wingfield ◽  
Amber D. Fandel ◽  
Aran Garrod ◽  
Kristin B. Hodge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Individual Identification ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Acoustic Feature ◽  
Ocean Noise ◽  
Anthropogenic Processes

Ocean noise varies spatially and temporally and is driven by natural and anthropogenic processes. Increased ambient noise levels can cause signal masking and communication impairment, affecting fitness and recruitment success. However, the effects of increasing ambient noise levels on marine species, such as marine mammals that primarily rely on sound for communication, are not well understood. We investigated the effects of concurrent ambient noise levels on social whistle calls produced by bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) in the western North Atlantic. Elevated ambient noise levels were mainly caused by ship noise. Increases in ship noise, both within and below the dolphins' call bandwidth, resulted in higher dolphin whistle frequencies and a reduction in whistle contour complexity, an acoustic feature associated with individual identification. Consequently, the noise-induced simplification of dolphin whistles may reduce the information content in these acoustic signals and decrease effective communication, parent–offspring proximity or group cohesion.

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.

Relationships between gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) calling rates, group size, and ambient noise levels in Laguna San Ignacio, Mexico.

2011 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 2637-2637
Author(s):  
Diana Ponce‐Morado ◽  
Aaron M. Thode ◽  
Melania Guerra ◽  
Jorge Urban ◽  
Steven Swartz
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Gray Whale ◽  
Eschrichtius Robustus ◽  
Noise Levels

scholarly journals Acoustic preadaptation to transmit vocal individuality of savanna nightjars in noisy urban environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Hsiung Liang ◽  
Bruno Andreas Walther ◽  
Chia-Hung Jen ◽  
Chao-Chieh Chen ◽  
Yi-Chih Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ambient Noise ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Urban Noise ◽  
Vocal Individuality ◽  
The Individual

Abstract As urbanization has expanded dramatically, the impacts of urban noise on wildlife have drawn increasing attention. However, previous studies have focused primarily on diurnal songbirds and much less on nocturnal nonpasserines such as nightjars. The savanna nightjar has recently successfully colonized urban areas in Taiwan. Using 1925 calls recorded from 67 individuals, we first investigated the individual differences of the acoustic structures; and, for those acoustic variables with significant individual differences, we examined the correlation between the acoustic structures and the ambient noise levels. We then compared the transmission efficacy of vocal individuality among three sets of acoustic variables: all acoustic variables, noise-related variables, and noise-unrelated variables. Using seven artificial frequency-shifted calls to represent seven different individuals in playback-recording experiments, we also investigated the transmission efficacy of vocal individuality and variable accuracy in three different urban noise levels (high, medium, low). We found that all 30 acoustic variables derived from the acoustic structures demonstrated significant individual differences, and 14 frequency-based variables were negatively correlated with ambient noise levels. Although transmission efficacy was significantly affected by urban noise, individuality information was still transmitted with high accuracy. Furthermore, the noise-unrelated structures (which included the maximum frequency, the maximum amplitude frequency, and the mean frequency of the call) had a significantly higher transmission efficacy of vocal individuality than the noise-related variables (which included the minimum frequency, the frequency at the start and the end of the call) in both field observation and playback-recording experiments. We conclude that these noise-unrelated acoustic features may be one of the key preadaptations for this nocturnal nonpasserine to thrive so successfully in its newly adopted urban environment.

Differential Effects of Competence and Morality on Self-Esteem at the Individual and the Collective Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-198
Author(s):  
Wiktor Soral ◽  
Mirosław Kofta
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. The importance of various trait dimensions explaining positive global self-esteem has been the subject of numerous studies. While some have provided support for the importance of agency, others have highlighted the importance of communion. This discrepancy can be explained, if one takes into account that people define and value their self both in individual and in collective terms. Two studies ( N = 367 and N = 263) examined the extent to which competence (an aspect of agency), morality, and sociability (the aspects of communion) promote high self-esteem at the individual and the collective level. In both studies, competence was the strongest predictor of self-esteem at the individual level, whereas morality was the strongest predictor of self-esteem at the collective level.

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