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Anthropogenic Sound, Sonar, and Cetacean Health

Anthropogenic Sound, Sonar, and Cetacean Health. An Investigation on the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals. Abstract.

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Anthropogenic Sound, Sonar, and Cetacean Health

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  1. Anthropogenic Sound, Sonar, and Cetacean Health An Investigation on the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals.

  2. Abstract • Anthropogenic sound in our world’s oceans has been affecting marine mammals for the last 100 years; however there is growing concern that these sounds are having a harmful effect on the world’s marine mammal species. In this investigation I will study the experiments of several other researchers to conclude if anthropogenic sound is having a negative effect on our world’s cetaceans. Much attention has been given to this concern by the media, especially where concern is associated with the US Navy’s use of sonar and it’s affects on dolphin populations. Media attention on the matter is usually negative and highlights what may need to be done to protect these species. Abstract

  3. Introduction • Media coverage on anthropogenic sound and marine mammals • Sonar, echolocation, and cetacean acoustics • Studies done on the subject • Conclusion

  4. The Media and Cetacean Health • CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, the Washington Post, as well as several smaller news agencies made reports about anthropogenic sound and it’s negative effects on cetaceans.

  5. Article 1 • MSNBC: Nov. 23, 2005 • U.N.: Navy sonar threatens whales, dolphins, and porpoises Report says three whale species at risk from sound waves • Article covered report made by United Nations that the use of powerful military sonar is “harming the ability of some 71 types of cetaceans– whales, dolphins and porpoises– to communicate, navigate, and hunt.” MSNBC News Article

  6. U.N.: Navy sonar threatens whales, dolphins, and porpoises • The report was made by the United Nations Environment Program and the Convention on Migratory Species • Beluga, Blainville’s beaked whale, and Goosebeak whales are at the most serious risk. • “While we know about other threats such as over fishing, hunting and pollution, a new emerging threat to cetaceans is that of increased underwater sonars,” Mark Simmonds told Reuters. MSNBC News Article

  7. Environmental groups take action • In October of 2005, a coalition of environmental groups sued the U.S. Navy for its use of sonar. • Tests on 7 whales that dies in Gran Canaria in 2002 revealed grim results • Western governments want more research • “But the issue is still in a relatively gray area in terms of scientific proof and we need to do more research before the government can review its defense systems.” –Charles Galbraith MSNBC News Article

  8. Article 2 • CBS News: March 6, 2005 • Sub Sonar Linked to Dead Dolphins? • Article covered stranding of over 70 rough-toothed dolphins in Marathon Key and possible causes CBS News Article

  9. Sub Sonar Linked to Dead Dolphins? • In March 2006 more than 70 rough-toothed dolphins stranded in Marathon, Fla. • A day before the dolphins stranded themselves, the USS Philadelphia had been conducting exercises with Navy SEALs off Key West • Dolphins may have suffered from the bends CBS News Article

  10. Sonar • Sound Navigation and Ranging • Active Sonar Sonar

  11. Sonar and Whales • Toothed whales emit a focused beam of high-frequency clicks in the direction that their head is pointing. Echolocation Sonar and Whales

  12. Articles 3 • CNN News: October 8, 2003 • Nature: military sonar may give whales the bends • Article covered story of dozens of whales washed up dead on shores around the world after exposure to military sonar- Researchers from Nature say they may have found a link CNN News Article

  13. Nature: military sonar may give whales the bends • Scientists examined the bodies of 10 beaked whales that died on two beaches in the Canary Islands in September • Whales suffered tissue and organ damage CNN News Article

  14. The Bends • In 10 meters of water your lungs are ½ the size they are at the surface • When high-pressure gases in the air come in contact with water, they dissolve into the water. • When resurfacing these gases are released into the blood-stream • It is debated whether or not the bends occurs in marine mammals CNN News Article

  15. It is widely believed (and debated) that when marine mammals are exposed to intense sonar emissions they may become startled or disoriented… • Affects of the bends: • blotchy rashes • coughing spasms • dizziness • unconsciousness • Inability to “bend” joints CBS News Article

  16. Article 4 • The Washington Post: October 9, 2003 • Navy Sonar May Give Whales the “Bends” • Article covered, more in depth than the other 3, the affects of the Navy’s use of sonar on marine mammals Washington Post News Article

  17. Navy Sonar May Give Whales the “Bends” • The articles reports that a study published in Nature shows that a marine mammal version of decompression sickness had been discovered in 10 of 14 of the beached whales. Washington Post News Article

  18. Articles 5 and 6 • The New York Times as well as the Honolulu Advertiser reported on the stranding in the Canary Islands in October of 2003 • Each agency mentioned the possibility of the whales getting the “bends” and the Navy’s increasingly common use of low-frequency sonar to detect foreign ships and submarines • More N gas bubbles than normal were found in 10 of the 14 examined beaked-whales New York Times News Article

  19. Scientific Papers • Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health: measures of the nervous immune systems before and after intense sound exposure • T.A. Romano et. Al. • Displacement of Orcinus orca (L.) by high amplitude sound in British Columbia, Canada • Alexandra B. Morton and Helena K. Symonds Scientific Papers

  20. Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health: measures of the nervous immune systems before and after intense sound exposure T.A. Romano et. Al. Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health

  21. Abstract • This study investigates effects of intense underwater sounds on nervous system activation and immune function in marine mammals • As sound levels increased, NE, E, and DA levels increased Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health...

  22. Introduction • Increasing concern on the effects of anthropogenic sound and the impact on the marine mammal auditory system and the impact these sounds may have on the navigational, foraging, reproductive, and hearing capabilities on cetaceans • The catecholamines (NE, E, DA) are among the first molecules released • as an initial response to stress Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health...

  23. Introduction cont’d… • Catecholamines and glucocorticoids have been shown to have a major effect on the immune systems of marine mammals • In this study the authors worked in collaboration with the US Navy Marine Mammal Program to perform various tests and obtain blood samples from a white whale, Delphinapterus leucas, and a bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops trancatus • Sound was emitted either via a “seismic water gun” and/or single pure tones resembling a white whales sonar “pings” Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health...

  24. Methods and test-subjects • Subjects consisted on one female white whale (MUK) and one male bottlenose dolphin (BEN) • 35 mL of blood was collected before testing began • A MANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of sound on neural-immune measurements and a univariate ANOVA to determine single-factor variation Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health

  25. Results • MUK seismic water gun experiment • Significant differences were seen for the following neural immune measurements: catecholamines, mean cell volume (MCV), alkaline phosphatase, and y-glutamyltransferase (GGT) • NE, E, and DA levels increased significantly after high-level sound exposure but not after low-level sound exposure • BEN water gun experiment • Results were similar to MUK experiment… • BEN tone experiment • DA showed significant differences between control and exposure groups • White blood cell counts, neutrophil counts, platelets, and MCV decreased over the study period Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health

  26. Discussion • This study identified several neural-immune measurements that may be implicated as indicators of stress in the white whale and bottlenose dolphin • It should be noted however that responses may vary with type of specie being studied, test-sound being used, and the amount of control the individual has over the stressor • Further studies with a larger sample need to be performed to obtain more accurate results Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammal Health

  27. Displacement of Orcinus orca (L.) by high amplitude sound in British Columbia, Canada Alexandra B. Morton and Helena K. Symonds CBS News Article

  28. Abstract • While whale displacement from noise “pollution” has long been suspected, it has been difficult to document • This experiment took place 1985-2000 and documents killer whale occurrences • Killer whales in the area were severely impacted by the noise in their area Displacement of Orcinus orca

  29. Introduction • Killer whales commonly inhabit Johnstone Strait and the adjacent waters of the Broughton Archipelago year-round • Resident, Transient, and Off-shore killer whales inhabit region at any given time • Low-powered vs. high-powered AHD’s Displacement of Orcinus orca

  30. Materials and Methods • Whale detection Displacement of Orcinus orca

  31. Results/Conclusion • Killer whale presence remained relatively stable in the Johnstone Strait, however underwent dramatic change in the Broughton Archipelago • Researchers also examined prey abundance to determine if that would be contributing to the decrease in killer whale numbers in the Broughton Archipelago Displacement of Orcinus orca

  32. Conclusion • In conclusion, there seems to be evidence to suggest that various types of anthropogenic sound may be harming our world’s cetacean populations • Evidence is not strong enough • In the coming future more research needs to be done • Until the issue is resolved and western governments recognize the potential danger associated with some types of sonar use, they will continue to reap negative press Conclusion

  33. References News Articles • MSNBC News Article • http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10178012/ • CBS News Article • http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/06/tech/main678382.shtml • CNN News Article • http://www.anon.org/articles/cnn.jsp • The Washington Post News Article • http://www.anon.org/articles/washPost.jsp • The New York Times News Article • http://www.anon.org/articles/nyt.jsp • The Honolulu Adviser News Article • http://www.anon.org/articles/hon.jsp Scientific Papers • Anthropogenic sound and marine mammal health: measures of the nervous immune systems before and after intense sound exposure T.A. Romano et. Al. Canadian Journal of Fish and Aquatic Sciences. 61: 1124-1134 (2004) • Displacement of Orcinus orca (L.) by high amplitude sound in British, Columbia, Canada Alexandra B. Morton and Helena K. Symonds ICES Journal of Marine Science, 59: 71-80 (2002) Other Resources • Wikepedia.org: http://en.wikepedia.org/wiki/sonar • How stuff works.com www.howstuffworks.com/question101.htm References

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