The Silence of Global Oceans: Acoustic Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown

Overview

Low-frequency noise from marine shipping is an underwater acoustic pollutant in oceans. The noise spectrum overlaps with frequencies marine mammals use to communicate and navigate, leading to stress and increasing collision with ships. This research established a model to measure the contribution of anthropogenic activities to underwater noise levels. The COVID-19 lockdown led to a global decline in commercial and cruise shipping. The model quantified the reduction in noise levels before and during the lockdown in the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. Underwater ocean sound peaks between 10 – 100 Hz and is dominated by noise from shipping traffic. Hydrophones (underwater microphones) data from seven ocean observatories were analyzed at 1 Hz spectral and 1-minute temporal resolution. Power spectral densities were calculated, aggregated into monthly long-term spectral averages, and noise levels in the 63 Hz third-octave band compared to previous years. The analysis revealed that global oceans quietened by an average of 4.5 dB, or the peak sound intensity decreased 2.8 times during the lockdown period. The maximum decrease was at locations close to major shipping channels and cruise tourism destinations. The findings were validated by comparing shipping traffic using the satellite-based Automated Identification System. The study proved that strategic “anthropauses” can reduce underwater noise levels and give marine mammals a chance to reverse the decline in their population. A web application MonitorMyOcean.com was created to provide updated anthropogenic noise levels in global oceans. Policymakers can determine if measures such as shifting shipping channels or moratorium on new shipping routes are leading to “Quieter Oceans.”

Awards (1)

• Second Award of $2,000 $2,000

Competition history

• ISEF 2022 Earth and Environmental Sciences · Entry EAEV045 · Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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