A song of ice and vessels: Seasonal trends in the soundscape of the western arm of Lake Superior |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OHT, UK;2. Department of Biology, Swenson Science Building, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812, USA;3. Large Lakes Observatory and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812, USA;4. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN 55812, USA;1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada;2. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Water Science and Technology, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada;3. UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, M004, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;1. Natural Resources Department, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, 2428 Shunk Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, MI Resources 49783, USA;2. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station, 96 Grant Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720, USA;3. Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;4. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 7500 Odawa Circle, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, USA;1. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 2000 Traverwood Drive #C59, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA;2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, VA 22042, USA;3. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Duluth, MN, USA;4. US Environmental Protection Agency, National Student Services Contract, Office of Research and Development, Duluth, MN, USA;1. School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, 440 Church St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;2. Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Northwestern Michigan College, 1701 Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686, USA;1. Credit Valley Conservation, 1255 Old Derry Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 6R4, Canada;2. School of Engineering, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E., Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada |
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| Abstract: | The soundscapes of marine systems have been studied for decades to determine spatial and temporal patterns of biological, geological, and anthropogenic activity. However, comparatively little is known about freshwater soundscapes. Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area and home to a variety of aquatic animals. The Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, located in the western arm of Lake Superior, are annually closed because of ice cover, providing a unique opportunity to explore sound levels in the absence of vessel traffic. Passive acoustic monitoring was conducted over 15 months between November 2018 and March 2020 to investigate seasonal patterns. Sound pressure levels were significantly lower (8 dB) at low frequencies (<100 Hz) during the winter and spring months (when ice cover increased). Quieter ambient sound pressure levels may provide an acoustic refuge to soniferous animals, especially those that vocalise during winter spawning. During the ice-free months, commercial shipping introduces a near continuous source of sound, increasing sound levels by up to 25 dB (at frequencies < 1,000 Hz). Climate change is expected to further reduce ice cover and thickness allowing the shipping season into the Twin Ports to be extended, thus warranting concern about the effect of noise from vessel activity on aquatic life. This study provides a baseline of the soundscape in the western arm of Lake Superior, against which scientists and environmental managers can assess future changes to this important habitat. |
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| Keywords: | Underwater sound Freshwater Great lakes Ambient sound Anthropogenic activity |
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