Zooplankton mortality and distribution around a seismic survey.

ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic underwater noise from seismic airguns is increasing, posing a potential threat to marine life. Despite their ecological importance, knowledge of the impacts of seismic surveys on zooplankton remains limited. In the North Sea, we utilized various methods to assess potential effects on zooplankton around an ongoing seismic survey. A seismic airgun array (3060 inch³) performed a survey along parallel lines, while we sampled from a research vessel positioned at the end of three of these lines. The airgun-generated noise reached a maximum broadband sound exposure level of 182 dB re 1µPa²s at the closest proximity (~50 m). Zooplankton biomass exhibited a consistent distribution in line with hydrography and chlorophyll distribution, before and after airgun expo

SUBMITTER: Vereide EH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12484595 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature