The International Quiet Ocean Experiment (IQOE) is an extensive research initiative that began in 2015 with the goal of examining the alterations in the acoustic environment of the world’s oceans. This project is particularly focused on how changes in the soundscape affect marine life. By utilizing a vast network of over 200 non-military hydrophones, which are essentially underwater microphones, scientists are able to capture and analyze a wide variety of sound data from ocean environments.
Global Network of Hydrophones
A significant portion of the hydrophones used in the IQOE are positioned along the coastlines of the United States and Canada. These devices are strategically placed to monitor the diverse range of sounds present in the marine environment, from the calls of marine mammals to the noise generated by human activities such as shipping and industrial operations. The placement of these hydrophones allows for a comprehensive assessment of the ocean soundscape across different regions and habitats.
Data Collection During Anthropause
The IQOE has been instrumental in collecting a large quantity of acoustic data from the oceans. Notably, during the recent period known as the anthropause—when human activity was significantly reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic—researchers had a unique opportunity to observe the soundscape without the usual level of human noise. This period provided valuable insights into how marine organisms might respond to a quieter ocean environment and highlighted the impact of human noise on ocean soundscapes.
Impact on Marine Organisms
One of the primary objectives of the IQOE is to understand the effects of sound on marine organisms. Many marine species rely on sound for communication, navigation, finding food, and avoiding predators. With the increasing levels of noise pollution in the oceans, there is a growing concern about the potential disruption to these critical behaviors. The data collected through the IQOE’s network of hydrophones is crucial in determining the extent of this impact and identifying ways to mitigate it.
Ongoing Research and Future Plans
The IQOE is set to continue its research activities until the end of 2025. This extended duration allows scientists to gather long-term data and observe trends over time. The continuation of the experiment will enable the collection of further evidence on the variability of the ocean’s soundscape and its influence on marine life. By analyzing the data over several years, researchers hope to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between sound and the health of ocean ecosystems.
In summary, the International Quiet Ocean Experiment represents a significant effort to quantify the changes in the ocean’s acoustic environment and their consequences for marine organisms. Through the deployment of a global network of hydrophones and the analysis of extensive sound data, including information obtained during periods of reduced human activity, the IQOE aims to inform policies and practices that could lead to a healthier and more sustainable ocean soundscape.