Deadly effects of sonar on mammals

Killing sounds
Naval operation might affect marine creatures. A lot of studies have been conducted by Navies to limit marine casualties on mammals and study the collateral phenomena due to sonar operations.  A CE journalist, Arjun Walia (1), stated  that these events have been occurring for a number of years, and are responsible for the death of large amounts of marine life. Apparently the Navy is not denying these facts and have admitted that most of the deaths would come from detonation of explosives, sonar testing.  According to US Navy computer models, this activity could kill hundreds of whales.

According to Greenpeace, government estimates are calculated at 138,500 whales and dolphins will be injured or killed (2). Besides, apparently the U.S. Department of the Interior is considering allowing geophysical companies that work for the oil and gas corporations to use these techniques in the Atlantic Ocean, from Delaware to Florida (2).

The Navy is claiming that these tests are needed for homeland security. According to National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) policy analyst  Michael Jasny, a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society shows that even mid-frequency noises disrupt feeding patterns in baleen whales and could negatively affect entire populations.

The NRDC cites multiple mass strandings on beaches after sonar has been used, including 200 beached melon-headed whales in 2004 off the coast of Hawaii. (3). Human technology is now drastically changing, damaging the delicate web of life and threatening life. Marine life is constantly dying, high intensity sonar alone used by the military can emit sounds as loud as a rocket blasting off. Offshore oil and gas exploration also make intense bursts. Imagine a day in your life disrupted by excruciating sound, sound so loud that it paralyzes you and your ability to function.

To be noted: (from Wikipedia) …  mitigation of Environmental impacts of the active sonar operation are required to be carried out by US law. Procedures for minimising the impact of sonar are developed in each case where there is significant impact. The impact of underwater sound can be reduced by limiting the sound exposure received by an animal. The maximum sound exposure level recommended by Southall et al. for cetaceans is 215 dB re 1 μPa² s for hearing damage. Maximum sound pressure level for behavioural effects is dependent on context (Southall et al.). A great discussion is concerning on this issue has to do with what method of mitigation is sufficient. Navies therefore  define their own mitigation requirements which may be different than the one used by civilians.

Examples of mitigation measures include (by wikipedia):

1. not operating at night time
2. not operating at specific areas of the ocean that are considered sensitive
3. slow ramp-up of intensity of signal to give whales a warning
4. air cover to search for mammals
5. not operating when a mammal is known to be within a certain range
6. on board observers from civilian groups
7. using fish-finders to look for whales in the vicinity
8. large margins of safety for exposure levels
9. sonar not operating when dolphins are bow-riding
10. maritime operations at less than full power
11. paid teams of veterans to investigate strandings after sonar operation.

However must be noted that High frequencies sonar are not dangerous for animals and not influence animal life.

 What about mammal sounds?

References

(1) Arjun Walia is a freelance journalist  who joined the CE team in 2010 for more mail to arjun@collective-evolution.com

(2) http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/oceans/Seismic-Testing-Sonar-Testing/

(3) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brenda-peterson/killing-with-sound_b_2744864.html