Low-frequency sound and marine mammals : current knowledge and research needs / Committee on Low-Frequency Sound and Marine Mammals, Ocean Studies Board, Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Low-Frequency Sound and Marine Mammals.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Marine mammals.

Underwater acoustics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (90 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1994.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Low-frequency sound waves are routinely used to investigate the topography of the ocean floor, the nature of ocean currents, the behavior of sound in the ocean, and other topics. But when the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project proposed to measure the speed of sound in the ocean repeatedly over a large area to determine if the ocean and global atmosphere are warming, concern arose as to possible harmful effects the project might have on whales and dolphins. A committee of the National Research Council reviewed the current knowledge on the subject, noted regulatory barriers and possible alternatives to them, and recommends experiments to evaluate the effects on a variety of marine animals and their major prey. No index. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Contents:

Low-Frequency Sound and Marine Mammals

Copyright

Preface

Acknowledgments

Contents

Executive Summary

LIMITATIONS OF CURRENT KNOWLEDGE

CHANGES PROPOSED IN REGULATORY STRUCTURE

RECOMMENDED RESEARCH

1 A Review of Current Knowledge

CHANGES IN OCEAN SOUNDS AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON MARINE MAMMALS

EVALUATING NOISE INTERFERENCE

Transmission Loss of Sound in the Ocean

Ambient Noise Level of the Sea

Acoustic Characteristics of Marine Mammal Hearing Organs

THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

ORIGINS AND DRAWBACKS OF THE "120-DB CRITERION

REFERENCES

2 Regulatory Barriers and Possible Alternatives

THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT AND ITS INTERPRETATION

HARASSMENT OF MARINE MAMMALS

PERMITTING IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Scientific Research Permits

Small Incidental Take (SIT) Authorizations

MAGNITUDE OF POTENTIAL NOISE POLLUTION FROM OCEANIC ACOUSTIC STUDIES

PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE REGULATORY STRUCTURE

Using a New Mechanism to Regulate Scientific "Takes

Utilization of the IACUC System

Streamlining Existing Regulations

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED CHANGES

3 Topics for Future Research

BEHAVIOR OF MARINE MAMMALS IN THE WILD

Natural, Ecologically Important Signals

Habituation to Repeated Human-made Sounds

Differential Responses of Migrating Whales to Various Human-made Sounds

Responses of Deep-diving Marine Mammals to Low-frequency Sounds

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE AUDITORY SYSTEM

Basic Studies of Audiometry

Measurements on Ensnared or Beached Marine Mammals

Replication of Data

Temporary Threshold Shift

Basic Studies of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Auditory System

EFFECTS OF LOW-FREQUENCY SOUNDS ON THE FOOD CHAIN

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

Tag Development.

Integrated Undersea Surveillance System (IUSS)

SWAT Team for Studying Hearing by Ensnared or Beached Animals

Warning Signals

Appendix A Comparison of Sound-Pressure Reference Levels in Air and Water

References

Appendix B An Introduction to Marine Mammals

CETACEA: WHALES, DOLPHINS, PORPOISES

THE CARNIVORA: PINNIPEDS, SEA OTTERS, POLAR BEARS

Pinnipedia

Sea Otters

Polar Bears

THE SIRENIA: MANATEES AND DUGONGS (SEA COWS)

Appendix C Comparison of Yearly Sound Energy from Oceanographic Research and Supertankers.

Notes:

"B-267"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610195664

9781280195662

1280195665

9780309567039

0309567033

9780585144429

0585144427

OCLC:

44961834