Effects of underwater sound on marine organisms – identify, prevent, minimize

Abstract

For many marine life noise plays an important role. In our waters the porpoise is the type with the most sensitive hearing. Porpoises are dependent on a healthy ear, as they actively use sound to find their prey. Excessive noise can damage hearing but. The use of the seas by the people is constantly increasing, consequently, also the sound entry. The influence of Rammgeräuschen on hearing of porpoises and seals was examined in the context of several research projects. Many fundamental insights to hearing these marine mammal species were recovered there. Especially the first time a acoustic exposure limit for harbor porpoises are determined. This is for a single sound at a sound power of 164 dB re 1 µPa2s and a sound pressure level of 200 dB re 1 µPap p.