At least 150 marine species have shown impacts from ocean noise pollution, but it has been difficult to specify the exact scenarios where ecosystem and population consequences from underwater noise will occur. Therefore, managing this threat requires a precautionary approach.
A breakthrough study by a specialist European research team, including scientists at the University of St Andrews, shows man-made underwater noise pollution is picked up by whales in a similar way they sense natural predators, explaining why some species are particularly sensitive to disturbance.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) works to identify and draw attention to emerging issues of environmental concern. The UNEP Frontiers’ report continues to advance this work, signaling environmental issues and solutions for effective and timely responses. Some issues may be local, relatively small-scale issues today, but may have the potential to become an issue of regional or global concern if not addressed early. This year’s edition, Noise, Blazes and Mismatches, looks at three concerns: urban soundscapes, wildfires and phenological shifts.
A new report suggests that the noise pollution produced by deep-sea mining activities could have far-reaching effects on the marine environment, from surface to seafloor.
Seagrass may not have ears, but that doesn’t stop noise pollution from causing serious damage to the plant’s other structures. From the whirring propellers that power our ships, to the airguns we use to search for oil, we humans have created a cacophony in the ocean.
Far beneath the ocean surface, a cacophony of industrial noise is disrupting marine animals’ ability to mate, feed and even evade predators, scientists warn. With rumbling ships, hammering oil drills and booming seismic survey blasts, humans have drastically altered the underwater soundscape – in
In cities, human lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic have offered some respite to the natural world, with clear skies and the return of wildlife to waterways.
To the list of humans assaults on our marine environment from giant garbage islands to over-fishing, add one that you can't see: noise pollution.
Noise produced by human activities should be better regulated to protect wildlife, say the authors of a study exposing how sound pollution affects myriad creatures from fish to birds.Road traffic, aircraft, ships, factories and oil drilling are all human activities that produce noise, most – but
In recent years, both the scientific community and the general public have become increasingly aware of—and concerned about—conserving the earth’s marine resources...