Date Published: January 1, 2015
Source: Journal of Coastal Research
Summary:
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos examined the
effects that the noise of oil platforms in the ocean had on the whale
population, specifically of the humpback whale. This study was conducted on the
Brazilian coast.
Rossi states that humpback whales
sing to communicate to each other and suggests that males may use it as a
mating call. He hypothesizes that the oil platforms make noise at the same
frequency that the whales use to communicate.
Rossi performed this study by
selecting a part of the Brazilian coast and using boats equipped with special
recording devices. He would record basic information of the whales including
location, behavior, skin type, and recordings of the whales. He would then
analyze and observe the whale’s behavior and sounds over the course of two
years (2007-2009). The data collected supported Rossi’s hunch that the oil
platforms were in fact adding to the noise pollution for humpback whales. This
means that the oil platforms emitted noise in the same frequency as humpback
whales.
For the humpback whales, this meant
that they would be confused by the noise and this could affect their mating
rituals. This means that this can affect the overall survivability of the
whales because they may not be able to reproduce at the same rate. Rossi
explains that in other marine animals, they compensate for this by changing frequencies
but in whales it may cause serious complications in neurological development of
the younger animals.
This finding is not only important
in understanding how whales are affected but also the effects man-made objects
have on marine ecosystems. Rossi touches upon the subject of using these
findings and building on it. With this information, future oil platforms can be
made more efficiently. They can be made quieter and made so that they do not
interfere as much with the ecosystem.
In conclusion, the noise from the
oil platforms does share the same frequency as the humpback whale and affect
their communication.
Citation: Rossi-Santos, R.M. January 1, 2015. Oil Industry and Noise Pollution in the Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Soundscape Ecology of the Southwestern Atlantic Breeding Ground. Journal of Coastal Research 31:184-195.
I actually wrote my blog post on how oil platforms serve as better habitats for aquatic creatures like small fishes than natural reefs which are the original homes for the fish. It is ironic to see how the platform, which attracts and houses such diverse aquatic life proves to be disadvantageous for other underwater creatures like the humpback whales.
ReplyDeleteI find the concept of using acoustic signals as a form of communication to be very interesting. My article was similar in the sense that it talked about how the echolocation frequency of male bats plays a role in female mate choice. However, in your case, it is surprising how the noise from oil platforms can interfere with the frequencies of the humpback whales, and have such a drastic effect on their communication, as well as their mating and reproductive success.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read how the noise from oil platforms can affect the mating ritual of whales. Humans already cause enough problems for whales with all the pollution that goes into the oceans and now the oil industry whether intentionally or not are causing another problem.
ReplyDeleteWhile this article states that the noise pollution from the oil platforms affects humpback whale population, it would be interesting to see if it affects other animals which communicate through sound signals. If the oil rigs cause noise pollution that affect other animals, then the marine mammal population could drastically drop over time.
ReplyDeleteI wrote my paper last semester on dolphin communication. It is a very interesting topic. I never thought about how humans can affect it.
ReplyDelete