By Gunika Nakra
The vast expanse of our oceans, often seen as a serene and untouched realm, is facing a growing threat that is largely unseen and unheard – ocean noise pollution. As human activities in and around the ocean intensify, so does the cacophony beneath the waves. Over the last 100 years, shipping, boating, energy exploration, and other such human activities have expanded along the coasts, offshore, and in deep ocean environments. Since the noise from these activities can travel great distances underwater, many offshore and coastal habitats experience fluctuations in the amount of ocean noise.
Ocean noise severely affects aquatic life, as many marine mammals depend on their hearing to survive. For them, sound is important for navigation, prey hunting, avoiding predators, communication, and spotting mates. To understand the vast impact of ocean noise, one has to consider the fact that at least 230,000 marine species live in the oceans, from marine mammals to seabirds. Sound is not the problem, but rather excessive sound raises concerns as different species have different sensitivity thresholds, and how the noise affects them could cause anything from disturbance to damage. Sound also travels faster in water than in air, worsening the problem of noise pollution.
Shipping interferes with the sounds made by various species of whales, especially large baleen whales, which produce sound in the range of 20-500Hz. Ocean noise impacts acoustic communication among fish, consequently affecting their spawning. Whales and dolphins get stranded due to naval sonar activity, which can consequently cause vascular damage to the brain, lungs, and other organs.
Ocean noise is a major issue, but it can be tackled by changing the design of ships and vessels to muffle the sound they produce. An acoustic monitoring system can also be used to analyze the levels of harmful ocean noise and take appropriate action to manage it. By understanding the impact of human-made noise on marine life and advocating for sustainable practices, we can contribute to the preservation of the delicate balance that exists beneath the waves. Let us strive to create a future where the symphony of the seas remains harmonious, allowing marine life to thrive in the acoustic sanctuaries of our oceans.
Further Reading:
What are the Effects of Underwater Noise Pollution? (2022, February 11). Sinay. https://sinay.ai/en/effects-of-underwater-noise-pollution/#:~:text=Ocean%20noise%20can%20dramatically%20alter,in%20injury%20or%20even%20death.
What is ocean noise? (n.d.). https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-noise.html
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