Biology
The Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Acoustic Communication in Marine Mammals
Quick fact
In the 20th century, low-frequency ocean noise from shipping increased by more than 30 decibels in some areas—a hundred-fold increase in intensity—and evidence shows that right whales, blue whales, and other species have altered their calls, sometimes becoming louder or shifting frequencies to compensate. This is their way of 'shouting' above the noise.
Why this is interesting
The ocean is naturally a noisy place, but the roar of a single ship can be heard for miles. How does this human-made noise affect the whales and dolphins that rely on sound for their very survival?