Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the following publication on particle motion measurement and its role in aquatic bioacoustics. Please contact the lead author, Sophie Nedelec, if you have any queries about the paper:
Nedelec, SL, Campbell, J, Radford, AN, Simpson, SD & Merchant, ND (2016). Particle motion: the missing link in underwater acoustic ecology. Methods in Ecology and Evolution
OPEN ACCESS link:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12544
Abstract
1.
Sound waves in water have both a pressure and a particle-motion component, yet few studies of underwater acoustic ecology have measured the particle-motion component of sound. While mammal hearing is based on detection of sound pressure,
fish and invertebrates (i.e. most aquatic animals) primarily sense sound using particle motion. Particle motion can be calculated indirectly from sound pressure measurements under certain conditions, but these conditions are rarely met in the shelf-sea and
shallow-water habitats that most aquatic organisms inhabit. Direct measurements of particle motion have been hampered by the availability of instrumentation and a lack of guidance on data analysis methods.
2.
Here, we provide an introduction to the topic of underwater particle motion, including the physics and physiology of particle-motion reception. We include a simple computer program for users to determine whether they are working in conditions
where measurement of particle motion may be relevant. We discuss instruments that can be used to measure particle motion and the types of analysis appropriate for data collected. A supplemental tutorial and template computer code in matlab will allow users
to analyse impulsive, continuous and fluctuating sounds from both pressure and particle-motion recordings.
3.
A growing body of research is investigating the role of sound in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, and the ways in which sound influences animal behaviour, physiology and development. This work has particular urgency for policymakers
and environmental managers, who have a responsibility to assess and mitigate the risks posed by rising levels of anthropogenic noise in aquatic ecosystems. As this paper makes clear, because many aquatic animals senses sound using particle motion, this component
of the sound field must be addressed if acoustic habitats are to be managed effectively.
Kind regards,
Nathan Merchant and Sophie Nedelec
Dr Nathan Merchant
Lead Scientist, Noise & Bioacoustics Team
Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
Tel: +44(0) 1502 527780 | Mob: +44 (0) 7789 651086
Email:
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https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=XPctSoUAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.cefas.co.uk/services/research-advice-and-consultancy/underwater-noise/
https://www.cefas.co.uk/media/52916/noise-bioacoustics.pdf
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