Work

A severe red tide (Tampa Bay, 2005) causes an anomalous decrease in biological sound

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Although harmful algal blooms (HABs) are known to cause morbidity and mortality in marine organisms, their sublethal effects are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare ambient noise levels during a severe HAB event in Tampa Bay, Florida, to those during non-HAB periods. Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted using bottom-mounted autonomous acoustic recorders during a severe HAB in summer 2005, and in summers 2006, 2011 and 2012 (non-severe HAB years). Ambient noise levels were significantly higher during the non-HAB years due to an abundance of snapping shrimp (Alpheidae) sounds and fish chorusing. The difference of sound intensity between the study years is most likely attributable to effects of the HAB on the abundance and/or behaviour of fish and snapping shrimp as a result of mortality and stress-induced behavioural modifications.

Source: Royal Society Open Science

DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150337

Authors: Katherine L. Indeck, Peter Simard, Shannon Gowans, Susan Lowerre-Barbieri, David A. Mann

Institutions: Eckerd College, University of South Florida, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Language: English

Topic: Marine animal studies overview

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,471