Prof. Ana Širović, NTNU, Norway
Prof. Ana Širović, from the Department of Biology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, will present: "Impact of anthropogenic sound on fish and plankton"
Main content
Sound is an important sensory modality for marine life, from marine mammals and fish all the way to shrimp and other invertebrates. This reliance on sound makes marine animals susceptible to impacts from sound-producing anthropogenic activities. These impacts can include behavioral and physiological consequences but vary depending on the sound source and animal involved. We have been studying the impact of anthropogenic sound on marine fishes over the past 10 years. After an initial study showing that intermittent boat noise increases cortisol levels in a coastal species, the giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus), we focused on juveniles of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). In lab-based experiments, exposures to sounds of seismic airguns and large ship passages did not induce an increase in water-borne and tissue-measured steroid hormone levels of these juvenile fish. Since moving to Norway, we have been working on understanding the linkage between physiological and behavioral response of mature Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to simulated boat noise. Under the auspices of the same JPI Oceans Action on underwater noise, we have also conducted micro- and mesocosm experiments to investigate the response of a plankton community on sounds of operational wind farms. Preliminary results of those studies will be discussed during the seminar.
