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Spatial and temporal variability of sea ambient noise as an anthropogenic pressure index: the case of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago, Croatia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 October 2012

Nikolina Rako ,
Marta Picciulin ,
Ivica Vilibić  and
Caterina M. Fortuna
Nikolina Rako*
Affiliation:
Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia
Marta Picciulin
Affiliation:
University of Trieste, Department of Biology, v. Giorgieri 7, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Ivica Vilibić
Affiliation:
Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
Caterina M. Fortuna
Affiliation:
Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via di Casalotti 300, 00166 Rome, Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: N. Rako, Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj, Croatia email: nikolina.rako@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study monitors the spatial and temporal variability of sea ambient noise (SAN) in the Cres-Lošinj archipelago from 2007 to 2009 (north-eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia). The archipelago is an important marine habitat for many protected species, including the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) that is considered as vulnerable to disturbance from intense local vessel traffic. Systematic monthly sampling of SAN was carried out at ten predefined acoustic stations. Data on the presence, type and distance of vessels from these stations was also collected during sampling and vessels were allocated into four main classes. A sample of noise produced by a representative vessel of each vessel class was collected and the noise levels were extracted on the 1/3 octave band standard centre frequencies. All the recordings were analysed in terms of instantaneous sound pressure level (LLSP, L-weighted, 63 Hz–20 kHz, root mean square fast). The equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (LLeq) for vessel and SAN were calculated averaging the LLSP of vessel and SAN samples. Results indicate an increase of SAN levels particularly in the range of low frequencies (63 Hz–1 kHz) during the tourist season. A positive relationship was found between the spatial and temporal distribution of SAN and seasonal changes in anthropogenic pressure, in terms of vessel traffic. Potential implications for local marine life, with particular reference to bottlenose dolphins, are discussed.

Keywords

anthropogenic noisesea ambient noisevessel trafficsound pressure levelcoastal areaAdriatic Seabottlenose dolphin
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 93 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 27 - 36
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012

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