Oceana's Noisy Pollution: Impact On Ecosystems

Noise pollution is a major threat to marine wildlife, interfering with their key life functions and, in some cases, causing death. The loudest and most disruptive ocean noise comes from military sonar, oil exploration, industrial shipping, and seismic surveys. These human activities have turned the once peaceful ocean environment into a loud, chaotic home for marine life.

NAS Oceana is a naval air station in Virginia, USA, and its noise pollution affects the marine ecosystem in the surrounding area. The noise from NAS Oceana interferes with the survival functions of marine animals, such as communication, locating mates and prey, and navigation. It can also cause hearing loss, behavioural changes, injury, and death.

Ocean noise can cause hearing loss in marine animals

Ocean noise pollution is a form of environmental pollution caused by human activities such as commercial shipping, oil exploration, seismic surveys, offshore wind turbine installation, and military sonar. This noise can interfere with and obscure marine animals' ability to hear natural sounds in the ocean, which can disrupt their natural behaviours and interfere with their ability to communicate.

Hearing loss in marine animals can be temporary or permanent, and it can occur as a result of a single exposure to very intense sound or repeated occurrences of temporary hearing loss. The impact of hearing loss on marine animals can vary depending on the species and the health of the individual animal. For example, hearing loss in an older animal may have a more significant impact on its ability to survive than a younger animal.

Hearing loss in marine animals can also be caused by exposure to noise from human activities such as military sonar, oil exploration, and industrial shipping. This noise can be continuous or impulsive, and it can be at high or low frequencies. The impact of this noise on marine animals can depend on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the noise, as well as the distance from the source.

Studies have shown that exposure to noise from human activities can cause hearing loss in marine animals, including whales, dolphins, seals, and fish. This hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, and it can affect their ability to communicate, navigate, and find food. In some cases, hearing loss in marine animals due to noise pollution can lead to strandings and even death.

The impact of ocean noise on marine ecosystems

The impact of ocean noise on marine ecosystems is complex and interconnected. For example, if a whale strands on a beach due to noise pollution, its body may not sink to the seafloor as it normally would, and seafloor-dwelling animals that rely on the whale's body for food may lose a key food source.

Overall, ocean noise pollution can have far-reaching impacts on marine ecosystems, and it is important to address this issue to protect the health and well-being of marine animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.

It can cause a stress response in marine animals

Noise pollution can cause a stress response in marine animals. This can lead to an increase in metabolic rate and a reduction in growth and other morphological effects. For example, in white whales, there is an increase in the levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine after exposure to high-level sound. In addition, there is a decrease in the levels of monocytes and an increase in aldosterone.

Noise can also cause physiological damage to the hearing system, such as auditory masking and cochlear damage. This can lead to a reduction in the ability of marine animals to detect and interpret acoustic information. For example, in harbor porpoises, there is a reduction in auditory sensitivity after exposure to boating and shipping noise.

Noise can also cause behavioral changes in marine animals, such as avoidance responses and changes in vocalizations. For instance, in humpback whales, there is an increase in the amplitude of vocalizations in response to an increase in ambient noise. In bottlenose dolphins, there is a change in whistle characteristics, such as frequency range, in elevated noise conditions.

Ocean noise can force animals to move from their preferred habitat

Ocean noise pollution is a form of environmental pollution caused by human activities, such as commercial shipping, oil exploration, seismic surveys, offshore wind turbine installation, and military sonar. These activities generate unnatural and excessive sound underwater, which can interfere with marine animals' ability to hear natural sounds in the ocean.

Marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, are particularly affected by ocean noise pollution. For example, noise can drive them out of important feeding or breeding grounds or force them to alter their migration routes, putting them at risk of encountering predators or getting trapped in sea ice.

Ocean noise can also cause stress responses in fish, disturb nesting habits, affect coordination and navigation, and damage their hearing. For example, seismic surveys, which are used to map offshore oil and natural gas fields, have been known to severely damage the internal organs of giant squid.

In addition, noise can disorientate animals that rely on echolocation, like dolphins and toothed whales. Excessive noise can disrupt these signals, causing the animal to become disoriented and unable to hunt successfully.

Noise can also have indirect effects on marine life. For instance, if a whale strands on a beach due to sudden, intense noise from a human activity, seafloor-dwelling animals that rely on the whale's body for food and sustenance will lose a key food source.

Overall, ocean noise can force animals to move from their preferred habitat by interfering with their ability to communicate, navigate, and find food and mates. This disruption can have both immediate and cumulative effects on marine species and ecosystems.

It can disrupt breeding, nursing, and communication behaviours

Noise pollution can have a significant impact on the breeding, nursing, and communication behaviours of marine life.

Marine animals rely on sound for communication, exploration, prey detection, and obstacle avoidance. Noise pollution can interfere with these vital activities, affecting their ability

Ocean noise can cause decompression sickness in marine animals

Decompression sickness occurs when an animal ascends too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the blood and tissues. This can lead to tissue damage and gas bubble lesions, which can be fatal. In some cases, it can also cause hearing loss and disorientation, as well as panic and increased anti-predatory behaviour.

Naval sonar, seismic air guns, and other forms of ocean noise pollution can cause marine animals to panic and ascend too quickly, leading to decompression sickness. This has been observed in various species, including whales, dolphins, and squid. The risk is particularly high for animals that are already close to the source of the noise.

Decompression sickness is just one of the many ways in which ocean noise pollution can harm marine life. It can also interfere with communication, disorientate animals, and alter their behaviour. The lack of international regulations on ocean noise pollution makes it difficult to protect marine ecosystems from these harmful effects.

Frequently asked questions