Noise Pollution

Noise pollution poses significant health risks to both humans and wildlife, affecting terrestrial and marine environments alike. Sources of noise, ranging from vehicular traffic to live music events, can lead to hearing impairment, increased stress levels, and elevated blood pressure. Additionally, underwater noise generated by ships and various human activities adversely impacts whales and dolphins, species that rely on echolocation for their survival.

Noise pollution represents a concealed threat. Although it is not visible, it exists in various environments, including terrestrial and aquatic settings. This form of pollution is defined as any undesirable or disruptive sound that negatively impacts the health and welfare of humans and other living beings.

Sound is quantified in decibels, with a wide range of auditory experiences present in our surroundings. For instance, the gentle rustling of leaves measures between 20 and 30 decibels, while a thunderclap can reach up to 120 decibels, and the piercing sound of a siren ranges from 120 to 140 decibels. Exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels poses a risk of hearing damage. Common sources of such elevated noise levels include power lawn mowers at 90 decibels, subway trains ranging from 90 to 115 decibels, and loud rock concerts, which can reach between 110 and 120 decibels.

Noise pollution affects millions of individuals every day. One of the primary health issues associated with it is Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Prolonged exposure to elevated noise levels can lead to additional health concerns, including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, sleep disorders, and increased stress levels. These health effects can impact individuals across all age demographics, with children being particularly vulnerable. Research indicates that many children residing in proximity to noisy airports or busy streets experience heightened stress and various challenges, including difficulties with memory, attention, and reading proficiency.

Noise pollution adversely affects the health and well-being of wildlife. Research indicates that elevated noise levels can lead to an increased heart rate in caterpillars, as evidenced by the rapid beating of their dorsal vessels, which serve a similar function to a heart in insects. Additionally, it has been observed that bluebirds experience a reduction in the number of chicks they produce. Animals rely on sound for numerous essential activities, such as navigation, foraging, mate attraction, and predator avoidance. The presence of noise pollution hampers their ability to perform these critical functions, ultimately jeopardizing their chances of survival.

The rise in noise pollution is not solely impacting terrestrial animals; it is also becoming an escalating concern for marine life. The sounds generated by ships, oil drilling operations, sonar equipment, and seismic testing have transformed the previously serene oceanic environment into a noisy and tumultuous one. Whales and dolphins are especially vulnerable to the effects of this auditory pollution. These marine mammals depend on echolocation for communication, navigation, foraging, and mating, and excessive noise disrupts their capacity to echolocate efficiently.

One of the most significant sources of underwater noise originates from naval sonar systems. Similar to echolocation, sonar operates by emitting sound pulses into the ocean depths, which then reflect off objects and return as echoes to the vessel, thereby indicating the object's location. The intensity of sonar sounds can reach levels as high as 235 decibels and can propagate for hundreds of miles underwater, disrupting the echolocation capabilities of whales. Studies have indicated that sonar usage can lead to mass strandings of whales along coastlines and can negatively impact the feeding patterns of endangered blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). Environmental organizations are calling on the U.S. Navy to either cease or significantly reduce the use of sonar during military training exercises.

Seismic surveys generate intense sound blasts in the ocean. Vessels searching for deep-sea oil or gas reserves deploy equipment known as air guns, which emit sound pulses directed towards the ocean floor. These sound blasts have the potential to harm the auditory systems of marine creatures and can lead to significant injuries. Researchers suspect that this noise pollution may also be influencing the behavior of whales.

Michel Andre, a bioacoustics researcher based in Spain, is among those investigating the impacts of noise pollution. He is utilizing hydrophones to capture sounds from the ocean as part of his initiative, LIDO (Listening to the Deep Ocean Environment), which gathers data from 22 distinct sites. In the laboratory, computer systems are employed to recognize sounds associated with human activities, alongside the vocalizations of 26 species of whales and dolphins. The objective of this analysis is to assess the influence of underwater noise on these marine creatures. Andre aspires for his research to uncover methods to safeguard marine life from the threats posed by oceanic noise.