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Introduction: Christopher Clark and Ellen Garland -- Ch 1: Overview. Christopher Clark -- Ch. 2: Anatomy and physiology. Joy Reidenberg -- Ch. 3: Movement, Residency & Migration. Alex Zerbini and Sue Moore,- Ch. 4: Feeding strategies. Ari Friedlaender -- Ch. 5: Molecular genetics. Emma Carroll -- Ch. 6: Social organization. Peter Tyack -- Ch. 7: Ethological and bioacoustic variability. Christopher Clark -- Ch. 8: Baleen whale culture. Ellen Garland and Emma Carroll -- Ch. 9: Blue whale – Global diversity & behavioral variability in a specialist. Ana Sirovic -- Ch. 10: Humpback whale – Global diversity & behavioral plasticity in a court jester. Rebecca Dunlop -- Ch. 11: Humpback whale song - Global diversity & behavioral plasticity in a court jester. Danielle Cholewiak, Sal Cerchio and Ellen Garland -- Ch. 12: Bowhead whale – Acoustic variability in the almost-a-right whale that went north. Kate Stafford -- Ch. 13: Right whales - From north to south, what's the big difference? Susan Parks -- Ch. 14: Minke Whale – Diversity and variability. Denise Risch -- Ch. 15: Omura's Whale – An enigma. Sal Cerchio. .

BACKGROUND: Drinking water contamination related to the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been documented at hundreds of military bases, airports, and firefighter training facilities. AFFF has historically contained high levels of long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which pose serious health concerns. However, the composition and toxicity of legacy AFFF mixtures are unknown, presenting great uncertainties in risk assessment and affected communities. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the fluorinated and nonfluorinated chemical composition of a legacy AFFF sample and its toxicity in zebrafish embryos. METHODS: A sample of legacy AFFF (3% application formulation, manufactured before 2001) was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used to identify PFAS and nonfluorinated compounds, and a commercial laboratory measured 24 PFAS by a modified U.S. EPA Method 537.1. AFFF toxicity was assessed in zebrafish embryos in comparison with four major constituents: perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS); perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS); sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (TDS). End points included [Formula: see text] values, and sublethal effects on growth, yolk utilization, and pancreas and liver development. RESULTS: We identified more than 100 PFAS. Of the PFAS detected, PFOS was measured at the highest concentration ([Formula: see text]) followed by PFHxS ([Formula: see text]). Fourteen nonfluorinated compounds were identified with dodecyl sulfate and tetradecyl sulfate the most abundant at 547.8 and [Formula: see text] , respectively. An [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] AFFF was calculated, representing a dilution of the 3% formulation. TDS was the most toxic of the constituents tested but could not predict the AFFF phenotype in larval zebrafish. PFOS exposure recapitulated the reduction in length but could not predict effects on development of the liver, which was the tissue ...

Der akustische Informationsaustausch mariner Säugetiere hat sich in der natürlichen Geräuschkulisse der Weltozeane entwickelt und erlaubt die Kommunikation über große Entfernungen. Hinzukommende anthropogene Schalleinträge können die natürliche Kommunikation überlagern und stören. In diesem Bericht betrachten wir die potentielle Fernwirkung seismischer Luftpulser (Airguns) auf Kommunikationsreichweiten mariner Säugetiere. Airgun-Impulse werden während der Schallausbreitung mehrfach an der Wasseroberfläche reflektiert und in Schallkanälen gebrochen. Hierdurch entstehen Halleffekte, die die Signaldauer verlängern und schlussendlich zu einem kontinuierlichen Signal führen können. Um die Ausbreitungsverluste zu berechnen und das empfangene Signal zu bestimmen, wurde die Schallausbreitung mit AcTUP (Acoustic Toolbox Userinterface & Postprocessor) für Entfernungen von 100, 500, 1000 und 2000 km von der Quelle modelliert. Die Schallausbreitung wurde für Empfänger in 10, 50 und 200 m Tiefe für flache (500 m Wassertiefe) und tiefe (4000 m Wassertiefe) Antarktische Gewässer berechnet. Die modellierten Störsignale wurden mit den Vokalisationen mariner Säugetiere überlagert (Gesang von Finnwalen (Balaenoptera physalus) und Blauwalen (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) und Kommunikationslaute von Weddellrobben (Leptonychotes weddellii), um die Distanzen zu berechnen in denen Maskierung von Kommunikationssignalen potentiell vorkommt. Die Signale wurden mit einem mathematischen Hörmodell (leaky integrator) als Energiedetektor im Frequenzbereich der Vokalisationssignale analysiert. Es wurde dafür angenommen, dass Bartenwale Geräusche bis zu einem Pegel, der den regulären Hintergrundgeräuschen bei einem Seegang der Stärke 3-4 entspricht, wahrnehmen können. Die so analysierten Daten zeigen, dass Airgunimpulse bis zu 1.000 km von der Quelle als gepulste Signale empfangen werden und zwischen 1.000 und 2.000 km in ein kontinuierliches Geräusch mit tonalen Anteilen übergehen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen weiterhin, dass besonders für Finn- und Blauwale auch noch in 2.000 km Entfernung zur Schallquelle ein signifikanter Verlust an Kommunikationsreichweite auftritt. Diese Einschränkung ist in erheblichem Maße vom Frequenzspektrum der betrachteten Kommunikationssignale abhängig.

Functional marine mammal acoustic communication evolved under natural ambient noise levels, which makes communication vulnerable to anthropogenic noise sources. In this report, we consider the potential long-range effects of airgun noise on marine mammal communication range. During the propagation process, airgun impulses are reflected multiple times from the sea surface, refracted in sound channels and reverberated, leading to signal stretching that may result in a continuous received sound. We modelled sound propagation using AcTUP (Acoustic Toolbox User-interface & Postprocessor) to estimate propagation loss and estimate the received seismic impulse waveform at 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 km distance from the source, and at 10, 50 and 200 m receiver depth for shallow (500 m) and deep sea (4000 m) Antarctic conditions. Modelled waveforms were overlaid with marine mammal vocalisations (song of fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, blue whale Balaenoptera musculus intermedia and Weddell seal Leptonychotes Weddelli vocalisations) to assess the distances over which communication masking could occur. Signals were analysed using a leaky integrator and peak detector model within the bandwidth of the modelled vocalisation. Hearing abilities of baleen whales were assumed to be noise limited at sea state 4. Results indicate that airgun noise is intermittent up to 1000 km from the source, changing to a continuous noise between 1000 and 2000 km. Results of masking modelling indicate that airgun sounds can lead to a significant loss in communication range for blue and fin whales at 2000 km from the source depending strongly on the frequency content of the vocalisation.

Beaked whales have mass stranded during some naval sonar exercises, but the cause is unknown. They are difficult to sight but can reliably be detected by listening for echolocation clicks produced during deep foraging dives. Listening for these clicks, we documented Blainville's beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris, in a naval underwater range where sonars are in regular use near Andros Island, Bahamas. An array of bottom-mounted hydrophones can detect beaked whales when they click anywhere within the range. We used two complementary methods to investigate behavioral responses of beaked whales to sonar: an opportunistic approach that monitored whale responses to multi-day naval exercises involving tactical mid-frequency sonars, and an experimental approach using playbacks of simulated sonar and control sounds to whales tagged with a device that records sound, movement, and orientation. Here we show that in both exposure conditions beaked whales stopped echolocating during deep foraging dives and moved away. During actual sonar exercises, beaked whales were primarily detected near the periphery of the range, on average 16 km away from the sonar transmissions. Once the exercise stopped, beaked whales gradually filled in the center of the range over 2-3 days. A satellite tagged whale moved outside the range during an exercise, returning over 2-3 days post-exercise. The experimental approach used tags to measure acoustic exposure and behavioral reactions of beaked whales to one controlled exposure each of simulated military sonar, killer whale calls, and band-limited noise. The beaked whales reacted to these three sound playbacks at sound pressure levels below 142 dB re 1 mu Pa by stopping echolocation followed by unusually long and slow ascents from their foraging dives. The combined results indicate similar disruption of foraging behavior and avoidance by beaked whales in the two different contexts, at exposures well below those used by regulators to define disturbance. ; Publisher PDF ; Peer reviewed

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Public Domain declaration. The definitive version was published in PLoS One 6 (2011): e17009, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017009. ; Beaked whales have mass stranded during some naval sonar exercises, but the cause is unknown. They are difficult to sight but can reliably be detected by listening for echolocation clicks produced during deep foraging dives. Listening for these clicks, we documented Blainville's beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris, in a naval underwater range where sonars are in regular use near Andros Island, Bahamas. An array of bottom-mounted hydrophones can detect beaked whales when they click anywhere within the range. We used two complementary methods to investigate behavioral responses of beaked whales to sonar: an opportunistic approach that monitored whale responses to multi-day naval exercises involving tactical mid-frequency sonars, and an experimental approach using playbacks of simulated sonar and control sounds to whales tagged with a device that records sound, movement, and orientation. Here we show that in both exposure conditions beaked whales stopped echolocating during deep foraging dives and moved away. During actual sonar exercises, beaked whales were primarily detected near the periphery of the range, on average 16 km away from the sonar transmissions. Once the exercise stopped, beaked whales gradually filled in the center of the range over 2–3 days. A satellite tagged whale moved outside the range during an exercise, returning over 2–3 days post-exercise. The experimental approach used tags to measure acoustic exposure and behavioral reactions of beaked whales to one controlled exposure each of simulated military sonar, killer whale calls, and band-limited noise. The beaked whales reacted to these three sound playbacks at sound pressure levels below 142 dB re 1 µPa by stopping echolocation followed by unusually long and slow ascents from their foraging dives. The combined results indicate similar disruption ...

Beaked whales have mass stranded during some naval sonar exercises, but the cause is unknown. They are difficult to sight but can reliably be detected by listening for echolocation clicks produced during deep foraging dives. Listening for these clicks, we documented Blainville's beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris, in a naval underwater range where sonars are in regular use near Andros Island, Bahamas. An array of bottom-mounted hydrophones can detect beaked whales when they click anywhere within the range. We used two complementary methods to investigate behavioral responses of beaked whales to sonar: an opportunistic approach that monitored whale responses to multi-day naval exercises involving tactical mid-frequency sonars, and an experimental approach using playbacks of simulated sonar and control sounds to whales tagged with a device that records sound, movement, and orientation. Here we show that in both exposure conditions beaked whales stopped echolocating during deep foraging dives and moved away. During actual sonar exercises, beaked whales were primarily detected near the periphery of the range, on average 16 km away from the sonar transmissions. Once the exercise stopped, beaked whales gradually filled in the center of the range over 2–3 days. A satellite tagged whale moved outside the range during an exercise, returning over 2–3 days post-exercise. The experimental approach used tags to measure acoustic exposure and behavioral reactions of beaked whales to one controlled exposure each of simulated military sonar, killer whale calls, and band-limited noise. The beaked whales reacted to these three sound playbacks at sound pressure levels below 142 dB re 1 µPa by stopping echolocation followed by unusually long and slow ascents from their foraging dives. The combined results indicate similar disruption of foraging behavior and avoidance by beaked whales in the two different contexts, at exposures well below those used by regulators to define disturbance.