Andre, M. and A. Fernandez. (2000). El papel de la ciencia veterinaria en el concepto multidisciplinar de conservacion de los mamiferos marinos: un caso estudiado de contaminacion acustica. [Veterinary science, the other end of a multipdisciplinary approach for the conservation of marine mammals: a case study of noise pollution on cetaceans]. Proceedings of the 1st International Congress on Veterinary Science and the Environment. Globalizacion Medioambiental Perspectivas Agrosanitarias y Urbanas. Actas del I Congreso Internacional de Veterinaria y Medio Ambiente, October, 1998, Madrid [Spain], p. 133-138. 809 p. ISBN: 84-491-0458-0.
Descriptors: Canary Islands, Cetacea, aquatic mammals, marine areas, habitats, environmental degradation, endangered species, nature conservation, aquatic animals, aquatic organisms, ecosystems, Europe, mammals, resource conservation, resource management, Southern Europe, Spain, species, taxa, Western Europe.
Anonymous (2004). The Death of Cetaceans Through the Use of LFA Sonar in Naval Military Manoeuvres, Oceana: Brussels, 13 p.
Descriptors: Cetacea, disturbance by man, low frequency active sonar used in naval maneuvers, mortality, physical pollution, naval sonar, sound, low frequency active sonar, marine zones, mortality and strandings associated with low frequency active sonar used in naval maneuvers.
Anonymous. (2001). Joint Interim Report: Bahamas Marine Mammal Stranding Event of 15-16 March 2000. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce & U.S. Navy, 59 p.
Abstract: Overview On March 15 and 16, 2000, a multi species, mass stranding of 17 cetaceans was discovered in the Northeast and Northwest Providence Channels of the Bahamas Islands (a mass stranding is defined as two or more animals). Seven of the animals are known to have died, ten other animals were returned to the water alive. A comprehensive investigation into all possible causes of the stranding was quickly launched. Based upon necropsies of the dead animals it was preliminarily determined that they had experienced some sort of acoustic or impulse trauma that led to their stranding and subsequent death. Detailed microscopic studies were initiated to identify the mechanism by which this acoustic or impulse source caused trauma. Most, but not all, lines of investigation have now been completed. Based on the way in which the strandings coincided with ongoing naval activity involving tactical mid-range frequency sonar use in terms of both time and geography, the nature of the physiological effects experienced by the dead animals, and the absence of any other acoustic sources, the investigation team concludes that tactical mid-range frequency sonars aboard U.S. Navy ships that were in use during the sonar exercise in question were the most plausible source of this acoustic or impulse trauma. This sound source was active in a complex environment that included the presence of a strong surface duct, unusual underwater bathymetry, intensive active use of multiple sonar units over an extended period of time, a constricted channel with limited egress, and the presence of beaked whales that appear to be sensitive to the frequencies produced by these sonars. The investigation team concludes that the cause of this stranding event was the confluence of the Navy tactical mid-range frequency sonar and the contributory factors noted above acting together. Combinations of factors different from this one may be more or less likely to cause strandings. Research should focus on identifying problematic combinations so they can be avoided. The actual mechanisms by which these sonar sounds could have caused animals to strand, or their tissues to be damaged, have not yet been revealed, but research is under way. This research, along with other research on the impacts of sonar sounds on marine mammals, increased knowledge of marine mammal densities, increased knowledge of causes of beaked whale strandings, increased knowledge of beaked whale anatomy, physiology and medicine, and further research on sonar propagation, will provide valuable information for determining which combinations of factors are most likely to cause another mass stranding event. SURTASS LFA, another Navy sonar, had no involvement in this event. This report reviews the evidence that led to the above conclusions, describes a program of research aimed at answering the outstanding questions on the impacts of tactical mid-range frequency sonar, and lists interim mitigation measures for future sonar operations. All technical terms used in this report are defined in a Glossary at the end. This is an interim report; Conclusions and Recommendations appearing here could change somewhat as final results become available. The major findings of each part of the investigation are summarized below.
Descriptors: Cetacea, disturbance by man, tactical mid range frequency naval sonar, physical pollution, naval sonar, sound, tactical mid range frequency sonar, Caribbean Sea, Bahamas, strandings associated with naval sonar.
Buckstaff, K.C. (2004). Effects of watercraft noise on the acoustic behavior of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science 20(4): 709-725. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Watercraft may provide the greatest source of arithropogenic noise for bottlenose dolphins living in coastal waters. A resident community of about 140 individuals near Sarasota, Florida, are exposed to a vessel passing within 100 m approximately every six minutes during daylight hours. I investigated the circumstances under which watercraft traffic may impact the acoustic behavior of this community, specifically looking for short-term changes in whistle frequency range, duration, and rate of production. To analyze whistles and received watercraft noise levels, acoustic recordings were made using two hydrophones towed from an observation vessel during focal animal follows of 14 individual dolphins. The duration and frequency range of signature whistles did not change significantly relative to vessel approaches. However, dolphins whistled significantly more often at the onset of approaches compared to during and after vessel approaches. Whistle rate was also significantly greater at the onset of a vessel approach than when no vessels were present. Increased whistle repetition as watercraft approach may simply reflect heightened arousal, an increased motivation for animals to come closer together, with whistles functioning to promote reunions. It may also be an effective way to compensate for signal masking, maintaining communication in a noisy environment.
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, disturbance by man, acoustic signals, whistles, physical pollution, effect on acoustic behavior, sound, watercraft noise, Gulf of Mexico, USA, Florida, Sarasota Bay, watercraft noise effect on acoustic behavior.
Croll, D.A., C.W. Clark, J. Calambokidis, W.T. Ellison, and B.R. Tershy (2001). Effect of anthropogenic low-frequency noise on the foraging ecology of balaenoptera whales. Animal Conservation 4(1): 13-27. ISSN: 1367-9430.
NAL Call Number: QH75.A1A54
Descriptors: Balaenoptera, low frequency noise, diving behavior, foraging ecology, spatial scale, vocal behavior, whale encounter rate, effect.
Czech, N. and D.M. Jedlicka (2002). Harmful effects on whales and dolphins by ultra low frequency waves. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 95 (Suppl.): 89. ISSN: 0019-2252.
Descriptors: pollution assessment, control, management, radiation biology, beaching, naval ships, submarines, ultra low frequency sound waves, ulf sound waves, harmful effects, whales, dolphins, meeting abstract.
Notes: Meeting Information: 94th Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Academy of Science, Edwardsville, Illinois, USA, 2002.
Dalton, R. (2003). Scientists split over regulations on sonar use. Nature (London) 425(6958): 549. ISSN: 1476-4687.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: conservation of natural resources legislation and jurisprudence, military science legislation and jurisprudence, noise legislation and jurisprudence, noise prevention and control, sound adverse effects, federal government, marine biology, noise adverse effects, oceans and seas, porpoises, United States, water pollution legislation and jurisprudence, water pollution prevention and control, whales.
Notes: Comment On: Nature. 2003 Oct 9;425(6958):575-6.
Di Guardo, G. and G. Marruchella (2005). Sonars, gas bubbles, and cetacean deaths. Veterinary Pathology 42(4): 517. ISSN: 0300-9858.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 P27
Descriptors: gas bubbles, sonar, deaths, cetaceans.
Erbe, C. and D.M. Farmer (2000). Zones of impact around icebreakers affecting beluga whales in the Beaufort Sea. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108(3, Pt.1): 1332-40. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A software model estimating zones of impact on marine mammals around man-made noise [C. Erbe and D. M. Farmer, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 108, 1327-1331 (2000)] is applied to the case of icebreakers affecting beluga whales in the Beaufort Sea. Two types of noise emitted by the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Henry Larsen are analyzed: bubbler system noise and propeller cavitation noise. Effects on beluga whales are modeled both in a deep-water environment and a near-shore environment. The model estimates that the Henry Larsen is audible to beluga whales over ranges of 35-78 km, depending on location. The zone of behavioral disturbance is only slightly smaller. Masking of beluga communication signals is predicted within 14-71-km range. Temporary hearing damage can occur if a beluga stays within 1-4 km of the Henry Larsen for at least 20 min. Bubbler noise impacts over the short ranges quoted; propeller cavitation noise accounts for all the long-range effects. Serious problems can arise in heavily industrialized areas where animals are exposed to ongoing noise and where anthropogenic noise from a variety of sources adds up.
Descriptors: ice, oceans and seas, perceptual masking physiology, sound, whales.
Erbe, C. (2002). Underwater noise of whale-watching boats and potential effects on killer whales (Orcinus orca), based on an acoustic impact model. Marine Mammal Science 18(2): 394-418. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: behavior, communication, ecology, models and simulations, pollution assessment, control, management, sense organs, sensory reception, hearing loss, ear disease, software sound propagation and acoustic impact assessment model, mathematical method, behavioral avoidance, communication interference, noise pollution, temporal threshold shift [tts], underwater noise, whale watching boats, killer whales, effect, noise.
Fernandez, A., J.F. Edwards, F. Rodriguez, A. Espinosa de los Monteros, P. Herraez, P. Castro, J.R. Jaber, V. Martin, and M. Arbelo (2005). "Gas and fat embolic syndrome" involving a mass stranding of beaked whales (family Ziphiidae) exposed to anthropogenic sonar signals. Veterinary Pathology 42(4): 446-457. ISSN: 0300-9858.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 P27
Abstract: A study of the lesions of beaked whales (BWs) in a recent mass stranding in the Canary Islands following naval exercises provides a possible explanation of the relationship between anthropogenic, acoustic (sonar) activities and the stranding and death of marine mammals. Fourteen BWs were stranded in the Canary Islands close to the site of an international naval exercise (Neo-Tapon 2002) held on 24 September 2002. Strandings began about 4 hours after the onset of midfrequency sonar activity. Eight Cuvier's BWs (Ziphius cavirostris), one Blainville's BW (Mesoplodon densirostris), and one Gervais' BW (Mesoplodon europaeus) were examined postmortem and studied histopathologically. No inflammatory or neoplastic processes were noted, and no pathogens were identified. Macroscopically, whales had severe, diffuse congestion and hemorrhage, especially around the acoustic jaw fat, ears, brain, and kidneys. Gas bubble-associated lesions and fat embolism were observed in the vessels and parenchyma of vital organs. In vivo bubble formation associated with sonar exposure that may have been exacerbated by modified diving behavior caused nitrogen supersaturation above a threshold value normally tolerated by the tissues (as occurs in decompression sickness). Alternatively, the effect that sonar has on tissues that have been supersaturated with nitrogen gas could be such that it lowers the threshold for the expansion of in vivo bubble precursors (gas nuclei). Exclusively or in combination, these mechanisms may enhance and maintain bubble growth or initiate embolism. Severely injured whales died or became stranded and died due to cardiovascular collapse during beaching. The present study demonstrates a new pathologic entity in cetaceans. The syndrome is apparently induced by exposure to mid-frequency sonar signals and particularly affects deep, long-duration, repetitive-diving species like BWs.
Descriptors: beaked whales, sonar signal, stranded, sonar, Canary islands, embolism, lesions, hemorrhage, gas bubble, fat embolism.
Finneran, J.J., C.E. Schlundt, D.A. Carder, J.A. Clark, J.A. Young, J.B. Gaspin, and S.H. Ridgway (2000). Auditory and behavioral responses of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) to impulsive sounds resembling distant signatures of underwater explosions. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108(1): 417-31. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A behavioral response paradigm was used to measure masked underwater hearing thresholds in two bottlenose dolphins and one beluga whale before and after exposure to impulsive underwater sounds with waveforms resembling distant signatures of underwater explosions. An array of piezoelectric transducers was used to generate impulsive sounds with waveforms approximating those predicted from 5 or 500 kg HBX-1 charges at ranges from 1.5 to 55.6 km. At the conclusion of the study, no temporary shifts in masked-hearing thresholds (MTTSs), defined as a 6-dB or larger increase in threshold over pre-exposure levels, had been observed at the highest impulse level generated (500 kg at 1.7 km, peak pressure 70 kPa); however, disruptions of the animals' trained behaviors began to occur at exposures corresponding to 5 kg at 9.3 km and 5 kg at 1.5 km for the dolphins and 500 kg at 1.9 km for the beluga whale. These data are the first direct information regarding the effects of distant underwater explosion signatures on the hearing abilities of odontocetes.
Descriptors: auditory perception physiology, behavior, animal physiology, sound, vocalization, animal physiology, dolphins physiology, water, whales physiology.
Finneran, J.J., C.E. Schlundt, D.A. Carder, and S.H. Ridgway (2002). Auditory filter shapes for the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) derived with notched noise. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 112(1): 322-8. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Auditory filter shapes were estimated in two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and one white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) using a behavioral response paradigm and notched noise. Masked thresholds were measured at 20 and 30 kHz. Masking noise was centered at the test tone and had a bandwidth of 1.5 times the tone frequency. Half-notch width to center frequency ratios were 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5. Noise spectral density levels were 90 and 105 dB re: 1 microPa2/Hz. Filter shapes were approximated using a roex(p,r) function; the parameters p and r were found by fitting the integral of the roex(p,r) function to the measured threshold data. Mean equivalent rectangular bandwidths (ERBs) calculated from the filter shapes were 11.8 and 17.1% of the center frequency at 20 and 30 kHz, respectively, for the dolphins and 9.1 and 15.3% of the center frequency at 20 and 30 kHz, respectively, for the white whale. Filter shapes were broader at 30 kHz and 105 dB re: 1 microPa2/Hz masking noise. The results are in general agreement with previous estimates of ERBs in Tursiops obtained with a behavioral response paradigm.
Descriptors: auditory perception, noise, auditory threshold physiology, dolphins, hearing physiology, models, biological, perceptual masking, whales.
Finneran, J.J., C.E. Schlundt, R. Dear, D.A. Carder, and S.H. Ridgway (2002). Temporary shift in masked hearing thresholds in odontocetes after exposure to single underwater impulses from a seismic watergun. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 111(6): 2929-40. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A behavioral response paradigm was used to measure masked underwater hearing thresholds in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and a white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) before and after exposure to single underwater impulsive sounds produced from a seismic watergun. Pre- and postexposure thresholds were compared to determine if a temporary shift in masked hearing thresholds (MTTS), defined as a 6-dB or larger increase in postexposure thresholds, occurred. Hearing thresholds were measured at 0.4, 4, and 30 kHz. MTTSs of 7 and 6 dB were observed in the white whale at 0.4 and 30 kHz, respectively, approximately 2 min following exposure to single impulses with peak pressures of 160 kPa, peak-to-peak pressures of 226 dB re 1 microPa, and total energy fluxes of 186 dB re 1 microPa2 x s. Thresholds returned to within 2 dB of the preexposure value approximately 4 min after exposure. No MTTS was observed in the dolphin at the highest exposure conditions: 207 kPa peak pressure, 228 dB re 1 microPa peak-to-peak pressure, and 188 dB re 1 microPa2 x s total energy flux.
Descriptors: auditory fatigue, auditory threshold, dolphins psychology, perceptual masking, whales psychology, acoustic stimulation, loudness perception, pitch discrimination, sound spectrography.
Foote, A.D., R.W. Osborne, and A.R. Hoelzel (2004). Environment: whale-call response to masking boat noise. Nature (London) 428(6986): 910. ISSN: 1476-4687.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Abstract: Background noise can interfere with the detection and discrimination of crucial signals among members of a species. Here we investigate the vocal behaviour in the presence and absence of whale-watcher boat traffic of three social groups (pods) of killer whales (Orcinus orca) living in the nearshore waters of Washington state. We find longer call durations in the presence of boats for all three pods, but only in recent recordings made following a period of increasing boat traffic. This result indicates that these whales adjust their behaviour to compensate for anthropogenic noise once it reaches a threshold level.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, noise, ships, vocalization, animal physiology, sensory thresholds physiology, time factors, Washington.
Frankel, A.S. and C.W. Clark (2000). Behavioral responses of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to full-scale ATOC signals. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108(4): 1930-7. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Loud (195 dB re 1 microPa at 1 m) 75-Hz signals were broadcast with an ATOC projector to measure ocean temperature. Respiratory and movement behaviors of humpback whales off North Kauai, Hawaii, were examined for potential changes in response to these transmissions and to vessels. Few vessel effects were observed, but there were fewer vessels operating during this study than in previous years. No overt responses to ATOC were observed for received levels of 98-109 dB re 1 microPa. An analysis of covariance, using the no-sound behavioral rate as a covariate to control for interpod variation, found that the distance and time between successive surfacings of humpbacks increased slightly with an increase in estimated received ATOC sound level. These responses are very similar to those observed in response to scaled-amplitude playbacks of ATOC signals [Frankel and Clark, Canadian Journal of Zoology 76, 521-535 (1998)]. These similar results were obtained with different sound projectors, in different years and locations, and at different ranges creating a different sound field. The repeatability of the findings for these two different studies indicates that these effects, while small, are robust. This suggests that at least for the ATOC signal, the received sound level is a good predictor of response.
Descriptors: arousal, auditory perception, behavior, animal, whales, sound spectrography.
Frantzis, A. (1998). Does acoustic testing strand whales? Nature (London) 392(6671): 29. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: acoustic stimulation, military science, whales, sound.
Fristrup, K.M., L.T. Hatch, and C.W. Clark (2003). Variation in humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) song length in relation to low-frequency sound broadcasts. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 113(6): 3411-24. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Humpback whale song lengths were measured from recordings made off the west coast of the island of Hawai'i in March 1998 in relation to acoustic broadcasts ("pings") from the U.S. Navy SURTASS Low Frequency Active sonar system. Generalized additive models were used to investigate the relationships between song length and time of year, time of day, and broadcast factors. There were significant seasonal and diurnal effects. The seasonal factor was associated with changes in the density of whales sighted near shore. The diurnal factor was associated with changes in surface social activity. Songs that ended within a few minutes of the most recent ping tended to be longer than songs sung during control periods. Many songs that were overlapped by pings, and songs that ended several minutes after the most recent ping, did not differ from songs sung in control periods. The longest songs were sung between 1 and 2 h after the last ping. Humpbacks responded to louder broadcasts with longer songs. The fraction of variation in song length that could be attributed to broadcast factors was low. Much of the variation in humpback song length remains unexplained.
Descriptors: animal communication, circadian rhythm, seasons, social behavior, social environment, sound spectrography classification, vocalization, animal classification, whales psychology, Hawaii, regression analysis.
Goodwin, L. and P.A. Cotton (2004). Effects of boat traffic on the behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals 30(2): 279-283. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: Boat traffic is widely believed to cause disturbance and physical injury to cetaceans and is frequently cited as an important threat to their welfare and conservation. As a result, numerous codes of practice have been proposed which restrict the movement of boats in the vicinity of cetaceans. There are, however, relatively few quantitative studies on the behaviour of cetaceans in the presence of boats. Here, we report on a study of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Teignmouth Bay, UK. We show that the presence of dolphins in the study area was unrelated to the number of boats present. When boats were stationary, the behaviour of dolphins did not differ significantly between boat classes; however, there was a highly significant difference in the response of dolphins to different classes of boats in motion. Speedboats and jet skis were associated with aversive behaviours, even when boats were not directly approaching the dolphins.
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, disturbance by man, boat traffic, behavioral responses, avoidance behavior, north Atlantic, United Kingdom, England, Devon, Teignmouth Bay, behavioral responses to boat traffic.
Hastie, G.D., B. Wilson, L.H. Tufft, and P.M. Thompson (2003). Bottlenose dolphins increase breathing synchrony in response to boat traffic. Marine Mammal Science 19(1): 74-84. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, disturbance by man, boat traffic, respiratory function, patterns, possible functions and response to boat traffic, social behavior, breathing synchrony, North Sea, United Kingdom, Scotland, Cromarty Firth, breathing synchrony and response to boat traffic.
Ishii, K. and Y. Hatakeyama (1987). The design of marine transponder with GP-IB [devices for driving away dolphins]. Bulletin of National Research Institute of Fisheries Engineering (8): 113-139. ISSN: 0388-9718.
NAL Call Number: SH301.S852
Descriptors: dolphins, noxious mammals, pest control, ultrasonics, noise, electrical installations, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, Cetacea, control, electrification, equipment, injurious factors, ISSCAAP group b 63, ISSCAAP groups of species, mammals, noise, noxious animals, pests, physics, pollutants, sound, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English summary.
Johnson, M., P.T. Madsen, W.M.X. Zimmer, N. Aguilar de Soto, and P.L. Tyack (2004). Beaked whales echolocate on prey. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 271 (Suppl. 6): S383-S386. ISSN: 0962-8452.
Abstract: Beaked whales (Cetacea: Ziphiidea) of the genera Ziphius and Mesoplodon are so difficult to study that they are mostly known from strandings. How these elusive toothed whales use and react to sound is of concern because they mass strand during naval sonar exercises. A new non-invasive acoustic recording tag was attached to four beaked whales (two Mesoplodon densirostris and two Ziphius cavirostris) and recorded high-frequency clicks during deep dives. The tagged whales only clicked at depths below 200 m, down to a maximum depth of 1267 m. Both species produced a large number of short, directional, ultrasonic clicks with no significant energy below 20 kHz. The tags recorded echoes from prey items; to our knowledge, a first for any animal echolocating in the wild. As far as we are aware, these echoes provide the first direct evidence on how free-ranging toothed whales use echolocation in foraging. The strength of these echoes suggests that the source level of Mesoplodon clicks is in the range of 200-220 dB re 1 [mu]Pa at 1 m. This paper presents conclusive data on the normal vocalizations of these beaked whale species, which may enable acoustic monitoring to mitigate exposure to sounds intense enough to harm them.
Descriptors: Mesoplodon densirostris, echolocation, depth range, first direct evidence of use in foraging, foraging, depth, North Atlantic, Canary Islands, foraging echolocation, depth range and first direct evidence of use.
Johnston, D.W. (2002). The effect of acoustic harassment devices on harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Biological Conservation 108(1): 113-118. ISSN: 0006-3207.
NAL Call Number: S900.B5
Descriptors: wildlife management, conservation, acoustic harassment devices, equipment, species abundance, species density, harbour porpoise, aquaculture, seals.
Knowlton, A. (1997). Comparison of right whale mortalities to ship channels and ship traffic levels. In: Shipping/right whale workshop, April 17, 1997-April 18, 1997, Boston, MA, New England Aquarium: Boston, MA, p. 52-69. 247 p.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, commercial activities, shipping, mortality, shipping channel and traffic level correlations, north east Atlantic.
Korsmeyer, T. and B. Hynes. (1997). Hydrodynamic effects of ships on right whales. In: Shipping/right whale workshop, April 17, 1997-April 18, 1997, Boston, MA, New England Aquarium: Boston, MA, p. 70-77. 247 p.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, commercial activities, shipping, hydrodynamic effects.
Koschinski, S., B.M. Culik, O.D. Henriksen, N. Tregenza, G. Ellis, C. Jansen, and G. Kathe (2003). Behavioural reactions of free-ranging porpoises and seals to the noise of a simulated 2 MW windpower generator. Marine Ecology Progress Series 265: 263-273. ISSN: 0171-8630.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.S3M32
Abstract: Operational underwater noise emitted at 8 m s-1 by a 550 kW WindWorld wind-turbine was recorded from the sea and modified to simulate a 2 MW wind-turbine. The sound was replayed from an audio CD through a car CD-player and a J-13 transducer. The maximum sound energy was emitted between 30 and 800 Hz with peak source levels of 128 dB (re 1 [mu]Pa2 Hz-1 at 1 m) at 80 and 160 Hz (1/3-octave centre frequencies). This simulated 2 MW wind-turbine noise was played back on calm days (<1 Beaufort) to free-ranging harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena and harbour seals Phoca vitulina in Fortune Channel, Vancouver Island, Canada. Swimming tracks of porpoises and surfacings of seals were recorded with an electronic theodolite situated on a clifftop 14 m above sea level. Echolocation activity of harbour porpoises close to the sound source was recorded simultaneously via an electronic click detector placed below the transducer. In total we tracked 375 porpoise groups and 157 seals during play-back experiments, and 380 porpoise groups and 141 surfacing seals during controls. Both species showed a distinct reaction to wind-turbine noise. Surfacings in harbour seals were recorded at larger distances from the sound source (median = 284 vs 239 m during controls; p = 0.008, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test) and closest approaches increased from a median of 120 to 182 m (p < 0.001) in harbour porpoises. Furthermore, the number of time intervals during which porpoise echolocation clicks were detected increased by a factor of 2 when the sound source was active (19.6 % of all 1 min intervals as opposed to 8.4% of all intervals during controls; p < 0.001).These results show that harbour porpoises and harbour seals are able to detect the low-frequency sound generated by offshore wind-turbines. Controlled exposure experiments such as the one described here are a first step to assess the impact on marine mammals of the new offshore wind-turbine industry.
Descriptors: Phoca vitulina industry, distribution within habitat, sound, wind turbine noise, north Pacific, Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, wind turbine noise effects.
Kreb, D. and K.D. Rahadi (2004). Living under an aquatic freeway: effects of boats on Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in a coastal and riverine environment in Indonesia. Aquatic Mammals 30(3): 363-375. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: Interactions between boats, and coastal and freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris), were studied in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, during 2001. The goal was to determine the conditions under which dolphins reacted to boats and to recommend conservation actions. Both coastal and freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins surfaced less in the presence of boats, but the avoidance reaction lasted longer for the river dolphins. River dolphins surfaced significantly less often in the presence of motorized canoes (<40 hp), speedboats (40-200 hp), and container tugboats (> 1,000 hp). Coastal dolphins only reacted to speedboats, and only when they approached at a 50-m distance. River dolphins reacted within a maximum distance of 250 m before and 300 m after a speedboat passed. Besides surfacing changes, river dolphins actively avoided container tugboats. The strength of reactions did not depend on the dolphins' behavior, group size, or age. Hypersensitivity by river dolphins to intensive boat traffic could explain the different responses between coastal and river dolphins. To prevent dolphin displacement from their core areas, an action plan currently is being developed by a nongovernmental organization in cooperation with Indonesian governmental institutions and residents. Speedboat owners will be urged to reduce boat speed in areas indicated on sign boards.
Descriptors: Orcaella brevirostris, disturbance by man, boat disturbance, conservation measures, voluntary boat speed restrictions, activity patterns, surfacing activity, effects of boat disturbance and conservation implications, Indonesia and south Pacific, Indonesia, Mahakam River, south Pacific, Kalimantan, Balikpapan Bay, boat disturbance effects on surfacing activity, conservation relaitonships.
Kremser, U., P. Klemm, and W.D. Koetz (2005). Estimating the risk of temporary acoustic threshold shift, caused by hydroacoustic devices, in whales in the southern ocean. Antarctic Science 17(1): 3-10. ISSN: 0954-1020.
Descriptors: equipment, apparatus, sense organs, sensory reception, ecology, environmental sciences, temporary acoustic threshold shift, ear disease, hydrosweep hydroacoustic instrument, whales, diving depth, risk.
Madsen, P.T. and B. Mohl (2000). Sperm whales (Physeter catodon L. 1758) do not react to sounds from detonators. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 107(1): 668-71. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Descriptors: auditory perception physiology, behavior, animal physiology, signal detection psychology physiology, whales physiology, time factors.
Madsen, P.T., B. Mohl, B.K. Nielsen, and M. Wahlberg (2002). Male sperm whale behaviour during exposures to distant seismic survey pulses. Aquatic Mammals 28(3): 231-240. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Descriptors: behavior, communication, sensory reception, air gun pulses, artificial coda exposure, avoidance, distant seismic survey pulse exposure, foraging, frequency range, noise high pass filtering, noise smear out, polar waters, sound pressure, spectrum content, sperm whale clicks, vocal patterns.
Malakoff, D. (2001). Ecology. A roaring debate over ocean noise. Science 291(5504): 576-8. ISSN: 0036-8075.
NAL Call Number: 470 Sci2
Descriptors: Cetacea physiology, hearing, noise adverse effects, sound adverse effects, whales physiology, Bahamas, government agencies, marine biology, military science, oceans and seas, research support, ships, United States.
Mattson, M.C., J.A. Thomas, and D. St. Aubin (2005). Effects of boat activity on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in waters surrounding Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Aquatic Mammals 31(1): 133-140. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: During the summer of 1998, the effects of boat activity on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncates) were investigated using 52 shore-based surveys along Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Temporal autocorrelation indicated data collected on most variables should be analyzed in 6-min intervals. Responses to boats were categorized as "no response," "behavioral response," "change in direction of movement," or "change in both behavior and direction." Multiple boats had a greater influence on dolphin behavior and movement than the presence of a single boat. Dolphin-watching boats, motorboats, shrimp boats, and jet skis affected the group size and behavior of dolphin groups. Dolphin groups responded to dolphin-watching boats during 20% of observations, mainly with a change in both behavior and direction of movement. Motorboats caused a response in dolphins during 55% of observations, with a change in behavior or both behavior and direction. Jet skis had a more dramatic effect on dolphin groups, with 56% of groups changing their behavior and 11% changing both their behavior and direction. Shrimp boats always elicited a response. Dolphin groups changed both their behavior, and direction of movement to follow and feed behind these boats. In contrast, ships rarely caused a response, with groups changing their behavior but not their direction in 11% of observations. As the number of boats in the Hilton Head area increased, dolphin groups heightened responses-that is, changed both behavior and direction of movement. These boat-related effects on bottlenose dolphin behavior are considered "harassment" under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) and should be scrutinized by agencies responsible for public education and enforcement of protective legislation.
Descriptors: behavior, biogeography, population studies, equipment apparatus devices and instrumentation, boat, field equipment, shore based survey, applied and field techniques, jet ski, field equipment, motorboat, field equipment, public education, movement direction, boat activity.
Miller, P.J., N. Biassoni, A. Samuels, and P.L. Tyack (2000). Whale songs lengthen in response to sonar. Nature (London) 405(6789): 903. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: vocalization, animal physiology, whales physiology, sex behavior, animal, sound.
Mobley Jr., J.R. (2005). Assessing responses of humpback whales to North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory (NPAL) transmissions: results of 2001--2003 aerial surveys north of Kauai. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 117(3, Pt. 2): 1666-1673. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Eight aerial surveys were flown north of the Hawaiian island of Kauai during 2001 when the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory (NPAL) source was not transmitting, and during 2002 and 2003 when it was. All surveys were performed during the period of peak residency of humpback whales (Feb-Mar). During 2002 and 2003, surveys commenced immediately upon cessation of a 24-h cycle of transmissions. Numbers and distribution of whales observed within 40 km of the NPAL source during 2001 (source off) were compared with those observed during 2002 and 2003 (source on). A total of 75 sightings was noted during 2001, as compared with 81 and 55 during 2002 and 2003, respectively. Differences in sighting rates (sightings/km) across years were not statistically significant. Assessment of distributional changes relied upon comparisons of three measures: (a) location depths; (b) distance from the NPAL source; and (c) distance offshore. None of the distributional comparisons revealed statistically significant differences across years. Several possible interpretations are examined: (a) whales have habituated to the NPAL signal; (b) insufficient statistical power exists in the present design to detect any effects; and (c) the effects are short-lived and become undetectable shortly after the cessation of transmissions.
Descriptors: humpback whales, NPAL, responses, sightings, acoustic, transmissions, north Pacific, arial surveys, responses.
Moehl, B. (1992). Narhvaler ogden akustiske Big-Bang hypotese. [Narwhales and the acoustic Big-Bang hypothesis [SONAR]]. In: Aarsskrift, 1992, Ny Carlsbergfondet: Frederiksborgmuseet, Denmark, p. 18-24. ISBN: 87-7245-509-8.
Descriptors: whales, sound, foraging, behavior, ultrasonics, echosounding, measurement, communication technology, identification, Cetacea, mammals, measurement, radiations, sound.
Language of Text: Danish.
Moore, M.J., A.R. Knowlton, S.D. Kraus, W.A. McLellan, and R.K. Bonde (2004). Morphometry, gross morphology and available histopathology in north Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) mortalities (1970-2002). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(3): 199-214. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Abstract: Fifty-four right whale mortalities have been reported from between Florida, USA and the Canadian Maritimes from 1970 to 2002. Thirty of those animals were examined: 18 adults and juveniles, and 12 calves. Morphometric data are presented such that prediction of body weight is possible if the age, or one or more measurements are known. Calves grew approximately linearly in their first year. Total length and fluke width increased asymptotically to a plateau with age, weight increased linearly with age, weight and snout to blowhole distance increased exponentially with total length, whereas total length was linearly related to fluke width and flipper length. Among the adults and juveniles examined in this study, human interaction appeared to be a major cause of mortality, where in 14/18 necropsies, trauma was a significant finding. In 10/14 of these, the cause of the trauma was presumed to be vessel collision. Entanglement in fishing gear accounted for the remaining four cases. Trauma was also present in 4/12 calves. In the majority of calf mortalities (8/12) the cause of death was not determined. Sharp ship trauma included propeller lacerations inducing multiple, deep lacerations that often incised vital organs including the brain, spinal cord, major airways, vessels and musculature. Blunt ship trauma resulted in major internal bruising and fractures often without any obvious external damage. In at least two cases fatal gear entanglements were extremely protracted: where the entanglements took at least 100 and 163 days respectively to be finally lethal. The sum of these findings show two major needs: (1) that extinction avoidance management strategies focused on reducing trauma to right whales from ship collisions and fishing gear entanglement are highly appropriate and need to be continued and; (2) that as mitigation measures continue to be introduced into shipping and fishing industry practices, there is a strong effort to maximise the diagnostic quality of post-mortem examination of right whale mortalities, to ensure an optimal understanding of resultant trends.
Descriptors: morphology, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, blunt ship trauma, injury, mortality.
Moore, S.E. and J.T. Clarke (2002). Potential impact of offshore human activities on gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(1): 19-25. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: human ecology, anthropology, pollution assessment control and management, biopsy, sampling method, aircraft, behavioral responses, benthic environments, calling behavior, commercial fishing, fishing gear, entanglement, human activities, lagoons, habitat, long term changes, noise levels, offshore environments, oil and gas development, oil seeps, oil spills, outboard engines, playback studies, respiratory patterns, scientific research, seismic explorations, ships, collisions, swimming speed, tagging experiments, underwater noise, vessel traffic, water depth, water pollution, whale watching boats.
Nachtigall, P.E., J.L. Pawloski, and W.W. Au (2003). Temporary threshold shifts and recovery following noise exposure in the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 113(6): 3425-9. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Behaviorally determined hearing thresholds for a 7.5-kHz tone for an Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) were obtained following exposure to fatiguing low-frequency octave band noise. The fatiguing stimulus ranged from 4 to 11 kHz and was gradually increased in intensity to 179 dB re 1 microPa and in duration to 55 min. Exposures occurred no more frequently than once per week. Measured temporary threshold shifts averaged 11 dB. Threshold determination took at least 20 min. Recovery was examined 360, 180, 90, and 45 min following exposure and was essentially complete within 45 min.
Descriptors: animal communication, auditory fatigue, echolocation, noise adverse effects, vocalization, animal, acoustic stimulation, auditory threshold, Hawaii, sound spectrography.
Nachtigall, P.E., A.Y. Supin, J. Pawloski, and W.W.L. Au (2004). Temporary threshold shifts after noise exposure in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) measured using evoked auditory potentials. Marine Mammal Science 20(4): 673-687. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: The time course of recovery from temporary threshold shift (TTS) was measured in a bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, using an evoked-potential procedure. The envelope-following response (EFR), which is a rhythmic train of auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to sinusoidally amplitude-modulated tones, was used as an indicator of the sound reception by the animal. Variation of the intensity of the stimulus allowed us to measure the animal's hearing via EFR thresholds. During each session, following an initial measure of threshold, the trained animal voluntary positioned itself within a hoop 1 m underwater while a 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa noise of a 4- 11 kHz bandwidth was presented for 30 min. After the noise exposure, thresholds were measured again at delays of 5, 10, 15, 25, 45, and 105 min. Measurements were made at test frequencies of 8, 11.2, 16, 22.5, and 32 kHz. The maximum TTS occurred 5 min after exposure and rapidly recovered with a rate of around 1.5 dB per doubling of time. TTS Occurred at test frequencies from 8 to 16 kHz, with the maximum at 16 kHz. TTS was negligible at 22.5 kHz and absent at 32 kHz.
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, brain, auditory brainstem, sound reception, hearing, temporary threshold shifts after noise exposure, electrophysiological measurement, sound.
Ng, S.L. and S. Leung (2003). Behavioral response of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) to vessel traffic. Marine Environmental Research 56(5): 555-67. ISSN: 0141-1136.
Abstract: A series of land-based surveys were conducted at two vantage points of known dolphin abundance in Hong Kong. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioral response of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) to vessel traffic. Results indicated that dolphins dove for a longer duration in areas of heavy vessel traffic or when there was the presence of an oncoming vessel. Dependent upon the type of vessel and the relative distance, dolphins might flee, continue their ongoing activity, perform a new activity, or approach the vessel. Whilst slow-moving vessels appeared not to cause immediate stress on the dolphin community, fast-moving vessels often cause disruption of behavior and social life. In order to ensure a better environment for the animals, we suggest that proactive conservation measures such as the creation of a marine park, rules and regulations for dolphin watching activities, and regional control of vessel speed should be implemented.
Descriptors: dolphins, movement, ships, social behavior, conservation of natural resources, data collection, hong kong, stress, psychological.
Nieukirk, S.L., K.M. Stafford, D.K. Mellinger, R.P. Dziak, and C.G. Fox (2004). Low-frequency whale and seismic airgun sounds recorded in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 115(4): 1832-43. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Beginning in February 1999, an array of six autonomous hydrophones was moored near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (35 degrees N-15 degrees N, 50 degrees W-33 degrees W). Two years of data were reviewed for whale vocalizations by visually examining spectrograms. Four distinct sounds were detected that are believed to be of biological origin: (1) a two-part low-frequency moan at roughly 18 Hz lasting 25 s which has previously been attributed to blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus); (2) series of short pulses approximately 18 s apart centered at 22 Hz, which are likely produced by fin whales (B. physalus); (3) series of short, pulsive sounds at 30 Hz and above and approximately 1 s apart that resemble sounds attributed to minke whales (B. acutorostrata); and (4) downswept, pulsive sounds above 30 Hz that are likely from baleen whales. Vocalizations were detected most often in the winter, and blue- and fin whale sounds were detected most often on the northern hydrophones. Sounds from seismic airguns were recorded frequently, particularly during summer, from locations over 3000 km from this array. Whales were detected by these hydrophones despite its location in a very remote part of the Atlantic Ocean that has traditionally been difficult to survey.
Descriptors: firearms, noise, vocalization, animal physiology, whales physiology, animal communication, Atlantic Ocean, natural disasters, noise, transportation, seasons, ships, sound spectrography, time factors.
Nowacek, D.P., M.P. Johnson, and P.L. Tyack (2004). North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) ignore ships but respond to alerting stimuli. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 271(1536): 227-231. ISSN: 0962-8452.
Abstract: North Atlantic right whales were extensively hunted during the whaling era and have not recovered. One of the primary factors inhibiting their recovery is anthropogenic mortality caused by ship strikes. To assess risk factors involved in ship strikes, we used a multi-sensor acoustic recording tag to measure the responses of whales to passing ships and experimentally tested their responses to controlled sound exposures, which included recordings of ship noise, the social sounds of conspecifics and a signal designed to alert the whales. The whales reacted strongly to the alert signal, they reacted mildly to the social sounds of conspecifics, but they showed no such responses to the sounds of approaching vessels as well as actual vessels. Whales responded to the alert by swimming strongly to the surface, a response likely to increase rather than decrease the risk of collision.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, disturbance by man, conservation measures, swimming, mortality, sound, ship vessel noise and alerting stimuli, north Atlantic, Canada, Bay of Fundy, ship collision risk factors and efficacy of mitigation strategies.
Nuzzolo, P. and C. Finch. (1997). Sonar detection of whales. In: Shipping/right whale workshop, April 17, 1997-April 18, 1997, Boston, MA, New England Aquarium: Boston, MA, p. 183-185. 247 p.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, sonar tracking, evaluation.
Parsons, E.C.M. (2004). The behavior and ecology of the indo-pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Aquatic Mammals 30(1): 38-55. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) can be divided into two morphological types: (1) west of India, plumbea-type humpback dolphins are dark gray or almost black in color, with a defined "hump" and (2) east of India, in Southeast Asia and Australia, chinensis-type humpback dolphins do not possess a "hump" and are often white or very light in color, with or without blue-gray spots and freckles. Plumbea-type humpback dolphins inhabit coastal waters, bays, and estuaries typically within 0.5 km of the coast, in waters less than 15 m deep. School sizes are small ( 25), although schools of up to 100 have been sighted off Oman. Diurnal patterns and seasonal and tide-related changes in behavior are observed, which have been attributed to changes in seawater temperature and, ultimately, the availability of prey. Feeding behavior tends to be correlated with rocky reefs and rocky shores. Social and sexual behavior, as well as births, occur year-round, but with seasonal peaks (October-May). The acoustic behavior of the plumbea-type humpback dolphin is little known although clicks of 20-25 kHz, "screams" from 3 to 20 kHz, and whistles from 3 to 25 kHz have been reported. Interactions between plumbea-type humpback dolphins and a variety of non-cetacean species have been reported, and in Zanzibar mixed groups of humpback and bottlenose dolphins are common. Plumbea-type humpback dolphins typically display aversive reactions to boat traffic. Chinensis-type humpback dolphins are primarily coastal and estuarine, almost exclusively estuarine in the northern parts of their range. Australian dolphins off the Great Barrier Reef were observed at considerable distances offshore (up to 55 km), but always close to shallow water. Inhabited water depth is usually less than 10 m. School sizes resemble those of plumbea-type humpback dolphins, although groups of up to 44 have been observed. The home ranges of individual animals are more compact and less coastal than plumbea-type humpback dolphins, varying both by season and year. Seasonal changes in distribution observed in Hong Kong are linked to changes in hydrography of the Pearl River. Diurnal and tide-related changes in behavior also have been noted. Feeding is the predominant behavior noted for chinensis-type humpback dolphins in Hong Kong, which is frequently associated with estuarine mixing zones and trawling activities. Social behavior occurs year-round, but peaks during the same period as calf conception. Calves primarily are born between January and August, with peaks in April/May and August. Epimeletic behavior has been reported in chinensis-type humpback dolphins. Chinensis-type humpback dolphins have been recorded producing whistles of between 1.2 and 16 kHz, and broadband harmonic pulses and low frequency, narrow band "grunts." The spectra of broadband click pulses ranged from 30 to 200 kHz. The sounds produced by these humpback dolphins can be as low as 600 Hz and coincide with frequencies produced by many types of boat traffic. In Moreton Bay, Australia, humpback dolphins often are observed in mixed groups with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), although humpback dolphins do not associate with finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in Hong Kong. Associations with fishing trawlers have been noted in China and Australia. Increased dive durations as a result of increased shipping density and avoidance of high-speed vessels have been recorded in Hong Kong. In addition ship-strikes have been a documented cause of mortality in this area. Chinensis-type humpback dolphins often are present in areas of high shipping traffic densities and, thus, impacts of boat traffic on this species are a cause for concern. Despite some very detailed studies in discrete areas (e.g., South Africa and Hong Kong), little is known about the ecology and behavior of either form of S. chinensis. An understanding of their behavior and ecology is essential to any initiative to conserve this species.
Descriptors: behavior, biogeography, population studies, estuarine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, feeding behavior, zanzibar mixed groups, acoustic behavior, prey availability, seawater temperature.
Patenaude, N.J., W.J. Richardson, M.a. Smultea, W.R. Koski, G.W. Miller, B. Wursig, and C.R. Greene (2002). Aircraft sound and disturbance to bowhead and beluga whales during spring migration in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Marine Mammal Science 18(2): 309-335. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: behavior, pollution assessment control and management, bell 212 helicopter sounds, twin otter fixed wing aircraft sounds, flight altitude, lateral aircraft distance, noise pollution, short term behavioral responses, spring migration, underwater noise depths.
Piantadosi, C.A. and E.D. Thalmann (2004). Pathology: whales, sonar and decompression sickness. Nature (London) 428(6984): 1 following 716; Discussion 2 p. following 716. ISSN: 1476-4687.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Abstract: We do not yet know why whales occasionally strand after sonar has been deployed nearby, but such information is important for both naval undersea activities and the protection of marine mammals. Jepson et al. suggest that a peculiar gas-forming disease afflicting some stranded cetaceans could be a type of decompression sickness (DCS) resulting from exposure to mid-range sonar. However, neither decompression theory nor observation support the existence of a naturally occurring DCS in whales that is characterized by encapsulated, gas-filled cavities in the liver. Although gas-bubble formation may be aggravated by acoustic energy, more rigorous investigation is needed before sonar can be firmly linked to bubble formation in whales.
Descriptors: acoustic stimulation, decompression sickness etiology, decompression sickness, gases analysis, liver chemistry, liver pathology, whales physiology, decompression sickness pathology, decompression sickness physiopathology, diving physiology, dolphins physiology, lung chemistry, military science, models, biological, nitrogen analysis, partial pressure, reproducibility of results, sound localization physiology.
Notes: Comment On: Nature. 2003 Oct 9;425(6958):575-6.
Reidenberg, J.S., D.R. Ketten, and J.T. Laitman (2004). Effects of blast pressure exposures on the dolphin and porpoise larynx. FASEB Journal 18(4-5): Abst. 68.7. ISSN: 0892-6638.
Online: http://www.fasebj.org/
NAL Call Number: QH301.F3
Descriptors: cardiovascular system, circulation, physiology, respiratory system, abnormal bubble formation, blast pressure exposures, bubble oscillation, discoloration patterns, diving, gas containing tissue, lability, marine mammal exposure, pressure changes, stranding, tissue damage, dolphin, porpoise, larynx, blast pressure, PBE, effects.
Notes: Meeting Information: FASEB Meeting on Experimental Biology: Translating the Genome, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 2004.
Richardson, W.J., B. Wursig, and C.R. Greene Jr. (1986). Reactions of bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, to seismic exploration in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 79(4): 1117-28. ISSN: 0001-4966.
NAL Call Number: QC221.A27
Abstract: The behavioral reactions of bowhead whales to distant seismic vessels not under our control, a controlled approach by a seismic vessel, and controlled tests with a single airgun were observed. On 21 occasions in the summers of 1980-84, general activities of bowheads exposed to pulses of underwater noise (107-158 dB re: 1 mu Pa) from seismic vessels 6-99 km away were observed. Activities were indistinguishable from those without seismic noise; there was no detectable avoidance. Hints of subtle changes in surfacing, respiration, and diving behavior were unconfirmed, but were consistent with reactions to stronger noise pulses from closer seismic boats. In a test with a full-scale seismic boat (30 airguns totaling 471, source level 248 dB re: 1 mu Pa, closest point of approach = 1 1/2 km), bowheads began to orient away when the airgun array began to fire 7 1/2 km away. However, some whales continued apparent near-bottom feeding until the vessel was 3 km away. Whales were displaced by about 2 km. Reactions were not much stronger than those to any conventional vessel. Tests with one 0.66-1 airgun showed that some bowheads move away from sources of strong seismic impulses even in the absence of boat noise, and that bowheads can detect the direction from which seismic impulses arrive. In general, bowheads exhibit avoidance reactions when they receive seismic pulses stronger than about 160 dB re: 1 mu Pa. Evidence of reactions to lower received levels remains inconclusive.
Descriptors: auditory perception, Cetacea, noise adverse effects, whales, arousal, loudness perception, orientation.
Romano, T.A., M.J. Keogh, C. Kelly, P. Feng, L. Berk, C.E. Schlundt, D.A. Carder, and J.J. Finneran (2004). Anthropogenic sound and marine mammal health: measures of the nervous and immune systems before and after intense sound exposure. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61(7): 1124-1134. ISSN: 0706-652X.
Abstract: Anthropogenic sound is a potential stressor for marine mammals that may affect health, as has been demonstrated in other mammals. Therefore, we have initiated investigations on the effects of intense underwater sounds on nervous system activation and immune function in marine mammals. Blood samples were obtained before and after sound exposures (single underwater impulsive sounds (up to 200 kPa) produced from a seismic water gun and (or) single pure tones (up to 201 dB re 1 [mu]Pa) resembling sonar opingso from a white whale, Delphinapterus leucas, and a bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, to measure neural-immune parameters. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine levels increased with increasing sound levels and were significantly higher after high-level sound exposures (>100 kPa) compared with low-level sound exposures (100 kPa) or controls (P = 0.003, 0.006, and 0.020) for the white whale. Alkaline phosphatase decreased over the experimental period (P 0.001), while [gamma]-glutamyltransferase increased over the experimental period (P 0.001). Significant neural-immune measurements for the dolphin after exposure to impulsive sounds included an increase in aldosterone (P = 0.003) and a decrease in monocytes (P = 0.006). Neural-immune changes to tonal sound exposures were minimal, although changes were observed in multiple neural-immune measures over time.
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, Delphinapterus leucas, disturbance by man, nervous system, blood, immune response, intense sound exposure effects on nervous and immune systems, sound.
Schlundt, C.E., J.J. Finneran, D.A. Carder, and S.H. Ridgway (2000). Temporary shift in masked hearing thresholds of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, and white whales, Delphinapterus leucas, after exposure to intense tones. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 107(6): 3496-508. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A behavioral response paradigm was used to measure masked underwater hearing thresholds in five bottlenose dolphins and two white whales before and immediately after exposure to intense 1-s tones at 0.4, 3, 10, 20, and 75 kHz. The resulting levels of fatiguing stimuli necessary to induce 6 dB or larger masked temporary threshold shifts (MTTSs) were generally between 192 and 201 dB re: 1 microPa. The exceptions occurred at 75 kHz, where one dolphin exhibited an MTTS after exposure at 182 dB re: 1 microPa and the other dolphin did not show any shift after exposure to maximum levels of 193 dB re: 1 microPa, and at 0.4 kHz, where no subjects exhibited shifts at levels up to 193 dB re: 1 microPa. The shifts occurred most often at frequencies above the fatiguing stimulus. Dolphins began to exhibit altered behavior at levels of 178-193 dB re: 1 microPa and above; white whales displayed altered behavior at 180-196 dB re: 1 microPa and above. At the conclusion of the study all thresholds were at baseline values. These data confirm that cetaceans are susceptible to temporary threshold shifts (TTS) and that small levels of TTS may be fully recovered.
Descriptors: auditory threshold physiology, dolphins physiology, perceptual masking, whales physiology, age factors, auditory perception physiology, behavior, animal physiology, time factors.
Stocker, M. (2004). Ocean noise could injure more than mammals. Nature (London) 430(6997): 291. ISSN: 1476-4687.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: conservation of natural resources legislation and jurisprudence, ecosystem, fishes physiology, noise adverse effects, noise legislation and jurisprudence, whales physiology, Mexico, oceans and seas, population dynamics, United States.
Notes: Comment On: Nature. 2004 Apr 15;428(6984):681.
Stocker, M. (2002). Sounding the alarm on underwater noise. Nature (London) 420(6917): 740. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: ecosystem, fishes physiology, noise adverse effects, animal communication, dolphins physiology, fisheries, perception physiology, whales physiology.
Notes: Comment On: Nature. 2002 Oct 17;419(6908):662-5.
Stone, C. J. (2003). The Effects of Seismic Activity on Marine Mammals in UK Waters, 1998-2000. JNCC No. 323.
Descriptors: Cetacea, disturbance by man, avoidance behavior, sound, seismic survey airguns, north east Atlantic, United Kingdom, behavioral and distributional response to seismic survey airguns.
Talpalar, A.E. and Y. Grossman (2005). Sonar versus whales: noise may disrupt neural activity in deep-diving cetaceans. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine 32(2): 135-9. ISSN: 1066-2936.
Descriptors: decompression sickness, diving physiology, noise adverse effects, whales physiology, decompression sickness etiology, decompression sickness physiopathology, dolphins physiology, echolocation physiology, high pressure neurological syndrome etiology, high pressure neurological syndrome physiopathology, high pressure neurological syndrome, orientation physiology, species specificity, startle reaction physiology.
Tyack, P. (1997). Vessel acoustics and right whales. In: Shipping/right whale workshop, April 17, 1997-April 18, 1997, Boston, MA, New England Aquarium: Boston, MA, p. 171-182. 247 p.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, commercial activities, shipping, collisions in relation to vessel acoustics, mortality.
Van Parijs, S.M. and P.J. Corkeron (2001). Boat traffic affects the acoustic behaviour of Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 81(3): 533-538. ISSN: 0025-3154.
NAL Call Number: 442.9 M331
Descriptors: Sousa chinensis, disturbance by man, boat traffic, acoustic signals, social behavior, west Pcific, Australia, Queensland Moreton Bay, Stradbroke Island, vocalizations, boat traffic effects.
Williams, W. (2001). Sound judgments. Will a powerful new navy sonar harm whales? Scientific American 285(4): 18, 20. ISSN: 0036-8733.
Descriptors: military science, sound adverse effects, whales, cerebral hemorrhage etiology, cerebral hemorrhage, United States.
Wursig, B. and P.G.H. Evans (2001). Cetaceans and humans: Influences of noise. In: P.G.H. Evans and J.A. Raga (Editors), Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers: New York, p. 565-587. ISBN: 0306465736.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M354 2001
Descriptors: Cetacea, conservation measures, noise pollution mitigation strategies, literature review, physical pollution, biological effects and mitigation strategies, sound, noise pollution.