Ocean noise: Study to measure the oceans' 'year of quiet'
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News Clipping
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Category
Article
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Publication Year
2021
Publisher
BBC, United Kingdom
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[ private ]
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Abstract
Ocean scientists around the world are studying the "unique moment" of quiet created by the pandemic.
The researchers have called their vast listening experiment: The year of the quiet ocean.
"Lockdown slowed global shipping on a scale that would otherwise be impossible," explained Prof Peter Tyack from the University of St Andrews.
The scientists plan to listen to the ocean soundscape before, during and after lockdown.
They have identified 200 ocean hydrophones - underwater microphones that are already in place around the global ocean. "So the idea is to use those to measure the changes in noise and how they affect marine life - like calling whales or fish choruses," Prof Tyack said.
"Just like people and cities may have noticed that, with much less traffic noise and human activity, you hear more birdsong or maybe see more wildlife in your own environment, we need ways to monitor that in the ocean...."
The researchers have called their vast listening experiment: The year of the quiet ocean.
"Lockdown slowed global shipping on a scale that would otherwise be impossible," explained Prof Peter Tyack from the University of St Andrews.
The scientists plan to listen to the ocean soundscape before, during and after lockdown.
They have identified 200 ocean hydrophones - underwater microphones that are already in place around the global ocean. "So the idea is to use those to measure the changes in noise and how they affect marine life - like calling whales or fish choruses," Prof Tyack said.
"Just like people and cities may have noticed that, with much less traffic noise and human activity, you hear more birdsong or maybe see more wildlife in your own environment, we need ways to monitor that in the ocean...."
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/science-environment-56676820
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