Anthropogenic noise
Book chapter, 2016

All rights are reserved. Anthropogenic noise is an issue that originates both from ships and the infrastructure that supports them, i.e., ports. Noise pollution is a known issue that can affect both humans and marine organisms. Humans are affected when ports, which are often active throughout the day and night, are located near residential areas in a city. Marine organisms are affected when noise from various activities of the shipping industry is transferred into the water. Four main sources of anthropogenic noise are generally recognised: underwater explosions, seismic explorations with high-energy systems, active sonar systems and shipping. The primary concerns regarding organisms exposed to elevated levels of anthropogenic noise include permanent or temporary hearing loss, the masking of a desired signal, and behavioural changes in response to a sound. Noise generated in port areas can affect both the staff working at the port and the neighbouring areas. Several negative health effects of noise pollution have been identified, for example, hearing and cardio-vascular disturbances, increased blood pressure, annoyance and sleep disturbance.

Shipping

Health effects

Active sonar

Noise

Seismic exploration

Underwater explosions

Author

Fredrik Lindgren

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Magda Wilewska-Bien

Chalmers, Shipping and Marine Technology, Maritime Environmental Sciences

Shipping and the Environment: Improving Environmental Performance in Marine Transportation

229-235
9783662490457 (ISBN)

Subject Categories

Marine Engineering

Environmental Health and Occupational Health

DOI

10.1007/978-3-662-49045-7_6

ISBN

9783662490457

More information

Created

10/7/2017