Potential Impacts of Ambient Noise in the on Marine Mammals
Abstract
The Committee was charged with assessing our state of knowledge of underwater noise and recommending research areas to assist in determining whether noise in the ocean adversely affects marine mammals. The committee was selected to represent a diverse range of expertise, including acousticians and marine biologists, as well as an expert in geophysical exploration. The committee convened four times, including three open public sessions. A wide variety of experts in the field of marine mammals and noise addressed the committee and submitted materials for review. One of the challenges in preparing the report was to standardize the units of measure. Another was to clarify commonly used terms in underwater acoustics, seismic exploration, and manna mammology. Remarkably few details are known about the characteristics of ocean noise, whether it be of human or natural origin, and much less is understood of the impact of noise on the short and long-term well-being of marine mammals and the ecosytems on which they depend.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA417361
Entities
People
- David Bradley
- George Frisk
- Gerald D'spain
- Jack Caldwell
- Jonathan Gordon
Organizations
- National Academy of Sciences