0000000000375544
AUTHOR
Elena Papale
AQUATIC ACOUSTIC NOISE: BEHAVIORAL AND MOLECULAR RESPONSES IN ECHINODERMS, THE CASE OF A. LIXULA (LINNAEUS, 1758) SEA URCHINS
Anthropic noise is considered a real pollutant, in particular the submarine noise. The impact on biodiversity is not yet sufficiently understood. Further research is needed to evaluate any negative effects. The noises associated with anthropogenic activities are increasing: shipments, seismic surveys, sonar, recreational rowing and future mineral extraction activities from ocean depths (DSM). These noises are having an impact on the welfare of many marine species. The understanding of the effects on biodiversity could be important for the creation of guidelines, laws or rules for the most environmentally sustainable exploitation of natural resources. Our study aims to investigate the motili…
Effects of waterg gun on echinoderms: biochemical changes on sea urchin (Arbacia lixula) and sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa)
Sources Airguns and Waterguns are used in seismic exploration the marine seafloor for different purposes such as oil and gas search, or geological-geodynamic reconstruction. In this technique a bubble of compressed air is produced with a consequently production of loud sound wave penetrating the ocean floor. The impact of seismic Airguns was assessed in some cetaceans (Kyhn et al. 2019), fish species and invertebrate (Carroll et al. 2017), but we need to know more. In this study we evaluate the biochemical changes in sea urchin (Arbacia lixula) and sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa) exposed to a 20 minutes of watergun noise (1 pulse each 10 s) at a distance of 50 m. For each species 40 indi…
Underwater high frequency noise: Biological responses in sea urchin Arbacia lixula (Linnaeus, 1758)
Marine life is extremely sensitive to the effects of environmental noise due to its reliance on underwater sounds for basic life functions, such as searching for food and mating. However, the effects on invertebrate species are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical responses of Arbacia lixula exposed to high-frequency noise. Protein concentration, enzyme activity (esterase, phosphatase and peroxidase) and cytotoxicity in coelomic fluid were compared in individuals exposed for three hours to consecutive linear sweeps of 100 to 200 kHz lasting 1 s, and control specimens. Sound pressure levels ranged between 145 and 160 dB re 1μPa. Coelomic fluid was …
Boat traffic in Lampedusa waters (Strait of Sicily, Mediterranean Sea) and its relation to the coastal distribution of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
The volume of boat traffic and its potential connection to the coastal distribution of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was evaluated off Lampedusa Island (Strait of Sicily). From July to September 2006 daily surveys were carried out at eight sites along the coast, three times a day, to assess the number, type, and size of boats moving, fishing, or stationed in Lampedusa waters. The study area was divided into four geographic areas: northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast. Data were analyzed to determine the difference in the number of boats among the areas, sampling months, and times of day. The presence of dolphins was monitored by standardized land-based observat…
First evidence of underwater sounds emitted by the living fossils Lepidurus lubbocki and Triops cancriformis (Branchiopoda: Notostraca)
Sound is the most effective means of communication in marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, no data about acoustic emissions from non-malacostracan crustaceans are currently available, so their ability to produce sounds is unknown. For the first time, this study investigated the sound produced by 2 tadpole shrimp species,Triops cancriformisandLepidurus lubbocki.L. lubbockiindividuals were collected from a natural temporary pond in Sicily (Italy), whereasT. cancriformisindividuals were obtained from eggs contained in sediment from a rock pool in Sardinia (Italy). In the laboratory, experimental tanks with the animals (one species at a time) were acoustically monitored. Both species prod…
Effects of acoustic stimulation on biochemical parameters in the digestive gland of Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819)
Underwater sounds generated by anthropogenic activity can cause behavior changes, temporary loss of hearing, damage to parts of the body, or death in a number of marine organisms and can also affect healing and survival. In this study, the authors examined the effects of high-frequency acoustic stimulations on a number of biochemical parameters in the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. During the experiment, animals were placed in a test tank and exposed to acoustic signals [a linear sweep ranging from 100 to 200 kHz and lasting 1 s, with a sound pressure level range of between 145 and 160 dBrms (re 1μParms)] for 3 h. Total haemocyte count was assessed and glucose levels, cyto…