15Many anthropogenic activities in the oceans involve direct contact with the seabed (for example pile 16 driving), creating radiating particle motion waves. However, the consequences of these waveforms to 17 marine organisms are largely unknown and there is little information on the ability of invertebrates to 18 detect vibration, or indeed the acoustic component of the signal. Here sensitivity of the marine bivalve 19 Mytilus edulis to substrate-borne vibration was quantified by exposure to vibration under controlled 20 conditions. Sinusoidal excitation by tonal signals at frequencies within the range 5 -410 Hz was 21 applied during the tests, using the 'staircase' method of threshold determination. Thresholds were 22 related to size and to seabed vibration data produced by anthropogenic activities. Clear behavioural 23 changes were observed in response to the vibration stimulus. Thresholds ranged from 0.06 -0.55 24 m s -2 (acceleration RMS, root mean squared), with valve closure used as the behavioural indicator of 25 reception and response. Thresholds were shown to be within the vibrations measured in the vicinity of 26 anthropogenic operations such as pile driving and blasting. The responses show that vibration is likely 27 to impact the overall fitness of both individuals and mussel beds of M. edulis due to disruption of 28 natural valve periodicity, which may have ecosystem and commercial implications. The data here 29 provide a valuable first step to understanding the impacts of such vibration upon a key coastal and 30 estuarine invertebrate which lives near industrial and construction activity, and illustrate that the role 31 of seabed vibration should not be underestimated when assessing the impacts of noise pollution.32
The behavior of wild, pelagic fish in response to sound playback was observed with a sonar/echo sounder. Schools of sprat Sprattus sprattus and mackerel Scomber scombrus were examined at a quiet coastal location. The fish were exposed to a short sequence of repeated impulsive sounds, simulating the strikes from a pile driver, at different sound pressure levels. The incidence of behavioral responses increased with increasing sound level. Sprat schools were more likely to disperse and mackerel schools more likely to change depth. The sound pressure levels to which the fish schools responded on 50% of presentations were 163.2 and 163.3 dB re 1 μPa peak-to-peak, and the single strike sound exposure levels were 135.0 and 142.0 dB re 1 μPa(2) s, for sprat and mackerel, respectively, estimated from dose response curves. For sounds leading to mackerel responses, particle velocity levels were also estimated. The method of observation by means of a sonar/echo sounder proved successful in examining the behavior of unrestrained fish exposed to different sound levels. The technique may allow further testing of the relationship between responsiveness, sound level, and sound characteristics for different types of man-made sound, for a variety of fish species under varied conditions.
Despite the prevalence of vibration produced by anthropogenic activities impacting the seabed there are few data and little information as to whether these are detected by crustaceans and whether they interfere with their behaviour. Here the sensitivity of unconditioned Pagurus bernhardus to substrate-borne vibration was quantified by exposure to sinusoidal vibrations of 5 -410 Hz of varied amplitudes using the staircase method of threshold determination, with threshold representing the detection of the response and two behavioural responses used as reception indicators: movement of the second antenna and onset or cessation of locomotion. Thresholds were compared to measured vibrations close to anthropogenic operations and to the time in captivity prior to tests. Behaviour varied according to the strength of the stimulus with a significant difference in average threshold values between the two behavioural indicators, although there was overlap between the two, with overall sensitivity ranging from 0.09 -0.44 m s -2 (root mean squared, RMS). Crabs of shortest duration in captivity prior to tests had significantly greater sensitivity to vibration, down to 0.02 m s -2 (RMS). The sensitivity of P. bernhardus fell well within the range of vibrations measured near anthropogenic operations. The data indicate that anthropogenic substrate-borne vibrations have a clear effect on the behaviour of a common marine crustacean. The study emphasises that these vibrations are an important component of noise pollution that requires further attention to understand the long term effects on marine crustaceans.
There are substantial knowledge gaps regarding both the bioacoustics and the responses of animals to sounds associated with pre-construction, construction, and operations of offshore wind (OSW) energy development. A workgroup of the 2020 State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy identified studies for the next five years to help stakeholders better understand potential cumulative biological impacts of sound and vibration to fishes and aquatic invertebrates as the OSW industry develops. The workgroup identified seven short-term priorities that include a mix of primary research and coordination efforts. Key research needs include the examination of animal displacement and other behavioral responses to sound, as well as hearing sensitivity studies related to particle motion, substrate vibration, and sound pressure. Other needs include: identification of priority taxa on which to focus research; standardization of methods; development of a long-term highly instrumented field site; and examination of sound mitigation options for fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Effective assessment of potential cumulative impacts of sound and vibration on fishes and aquatic invertebrates is currently precluded by these and other knowledge gaps. However, filling critical gaps in knowledge will improve our understanding of possible sound-related impacts of OSW energy development to populations and ecosystems. V
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