Potential for acoustic masking due to shipping noise in the European lobster (Homarus gammarus). (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jézéquel, Youenn; Bonnel, Julien; Chauvaud, Laurent
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 173:Part A(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Noise Pollution -- Bioacoustics -- Acoustic communication -- Marine invertebrates -- Crustaceans -- Passive acoustics; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112934
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Marine traffic is the most pervasive underwater anthropogenic noise pollution which can mask acoustic communication in marine mammals and fish, but its effect in marine invertebrates remains unknown. Here, we performed an at sea experiment to study the potential of shipping noise to mask and alter lobster acoustic communication. We used hydrophones to record buzzing sounds and accelerometers to detect lobster carapace vibrations (i.e. the buzzing sounds' sources). We demonstrated that male individuals produced carapace vibrations under various ambient noise conditions, including heavy shipping noise. However, while the associated waterborne buzzing sounds could be recorded under natural ambient noise levels, they were masked by shipping noise. Additionally, lobsters significantly increased their call rates in presence of shipping noise, suggesting a vocal compensation due to the reduction of intraspecific communication. This study reports for the first time the potential acoustic masking of lobster acoustic communication by chronic anthropogenic noise pollution, which could affect ecologically important behaviors. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Shipping noise is a widespread source of chronic underwater pollution. Lobsters produce underwater sounds, both in absence and presence of shipping noise. Shipping noise is louder than lobster sounds (i.e. acoustic masking). Lobsters significantly increased their call rates in presence of shipping noise. The potential impacts of noise pollution on marine invertebrates cannot be ignored.