Man-Made Underwater Noise Pollution Disturbs Whales

posted 4 Jul 2013, 13:14 by Mpelembe Admin [ updated 4 Jul 2013, 13:14 ]

UK (Next Media) - New research has revealed that loud military sonar used by navies to detect submarines causes stark behavioral changes in whales, even resulting in mass strandings for multiple species of whale and dolphin, according to the Guardian.

The studies, partly funded by the US Navy, simulated military sonar signals sounded at 200 dB, 3km to 10km away from the whales.

Whales affected by the noise pollution initially stopped both feeding and swimming before quickly swimming away from the noise. Some performed unusually deep and long dives.

Beaked whales, the species of whale most commonly affect by mass strandings, were found to be highly sensitive to sonar.

No internationally accepted standards on noise pollution currently exist.

SOURCE: The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/03/whales-flee-military-sonar-strandings?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

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