Scientific Literature: Searchable Database

Speaking up: killer whales (Orcinus orca) increase their call amplitude in response to vessel noise

Authors

Holt, Marla. M.; Noren, Dawn. P.; Veirs, Val.; Emmons, Candice. K.; Veirs, Scott.

Year

2008

Journal

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

Volume

125

Issue

14

Pages

1-6

Keywords

acoustics, Canada, Killer Whale, noise, Orcinus orca, vessel Traffic, whale watching

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of anthropogenic sound exposure on the vocal behavior of free-ranging killer whales. Endangered Southern Resident killer whales inhabit areas including the urban coastal waters of Puget Sound near Seattle, WA, where anthropogenic sounds are ubiquitous, particularly those from motorized vessels. A calibrated recording system was used to measure killer whale call source levels and background noise levels (1–40kHz). Results show that whales increased their call amplitude by 1dB for every 1dB increase in background noise levels. Furthermore, nearby vessel counts were positively correlated with these observed background noise levels.
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