Man-caused noise pollution of the ocean kills sea animals

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Man-caused noise pollution of the ocean kills sea

animals

04/29/2005 11:33

 

Source >

http://english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/377/15380_sound.html

 

The sound pollution makes whales and dolphins commit

massive suicides by coming ashore

 

Humans create too much noise in the world ocean, which

make it a rather uncomfortable place to live for sea

animals and fish. Man-caused noise is the source of

too much discomfort for underwater animals, who use

the sense of hearing as the most important organ of

perception. Sounds help sea animals orient themselves

in the ocean and also communicate with each other.

Scientists believe that the so-called acoustic smog

virtually blinds sea creatures, which negatively

affects their nourishment and worsens the reproductive

function, Le Soir wrote.

 

Researchers have already determined before that whales

come ashore on account of sounds produced by

ultrasound scanners of battleships and submarines.

Furthermore, scientists are deeply concerned about the

noise background, which merchant shipping causes in

the depths of the ocean. Specialists say that noisiest

territories of the global ocean are situated in the

North Atlantic water area and in the north of the

Pacific Ocean. The sound pollution is very high in the

ocean around Indonesia. The man-caused noise in the

ocean gradually destroys the underwater animal world.

" Sea animals rely on sound, they do not see anything, "

scientists say.

 

For the time being, there are not enough reasons to

talk about the real effect of the noise pollution in

the global ocean. Modern technologies are not advanced

enough to give researchers an opportunity to watch sea

animals closely and come to certain conclusion about

the effect the noise influence has on their conduct.

 

The strengthening of the resonant pollution is

happening simultaneously with the development of the

commercial sea navigation. The tonnage of the world

merchant fleet raised from 85 to 550 million tons from

1948 to 1998. The noise level in the ocean has gained

about 15 decibels during the period, scientists say.

Commercial shipping companies are not going to spend

their money on restricting the level of noise

pollution in the ocean as long as the problem and its

consequences remain insufficiently explored.

Scientists believe, however, that the increasing

interest in the issue will definitely be helpful in

achieving progress in the field.

 

Read the original in Russian: (Translated by: Dmitry

Sudakov)