Hong Kong Anthropogenic Vessel Noises
A spectrogram of vessel sounds
The Hong Kong area is known to be both extremely busy and noisy; however, the individual contributions to this overall high noise level is unknown, as is the impacts it is likely having on the local marine community, specifically cetaceans. Würsig and Greene (2002) observed the individual noise levels (measured in Sound Pressure Levels or decibels) across various frequencies of tanker activity at the Aviation Fuel Receiving Facility. During 2010-2012, I analyzed preliminary recordings of various stations around Hong Kong waters to get a general idea of the local variation in sound levels due to varying traffic levels and individual vessel sound contributions. Current research is focused on obtaining individual vessel contributions and assessing potential effects of the anthropogenic noise on the local cetacean population.
Sims, P. Q., Hung, S. K., and Würsig, B. 2012. High-speed vessel noises in West Hong Kong waters and their contributions relative to Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis). Journal of Marine Biology 2012, 1-11.
Literature Cited
Würsig, B. and Greene, C. R. Jr. 2002. Underwater sounds near a fuel receiving facility in western Hong Kong: relevance to dolphins. Marine Environmental Research 54, 129–145.
Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin Sounds
Photo courtesy of Bernd Würsig
Little is known about the repertoire and function of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) sounds, particularly in Hong Kong waters. Previous research has documented both the sound types and associated behaviors of the Australian population of humpback dolphins (Parijs and Corkeron 2001) as well as behavioral responses to anthropogenic disturbances, e.g. boat traffic. However, only one study currently exists on the humpback sounds in Hong Kong waters (Goold and Jefferson 2004), detailing only echolocation clicks. In summer 2010, I analyzed preliminary recordings of Hong Kong humpback vocalizations, categorizing and comparing them to the Australian population. Our research (Würsig lab at TAMUG and Cetacean Research Society in Hong Kong) is focused on further documenting these sounds, including behavioral associations and assessing potential impacts of anthropogenic noise on these sounds.
Sims, P. Q.,Vaughn, R., Hung, S. K., and Würsig, B. 2012. Sounds of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in West Hong Kong: a preliminary description. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 130, EL48-53.
Literature Cited
Goold, J. C. and T. A. Jefferson. 2004. A note on clicks recorded from free-ranging Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis. Aquatic Mammals 30, 175-178.
Van Parijs, S. M. and P. J. Corkeron. 2001. Vocalizations and behaviour of Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis. Ethology 107, 701-716.
Sims, P. Q.,Vaughn, R., Hung, S. K., and Würsig, B. 2012. Sounds of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in West Hong Kong: a preliminary description. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 130, EL48-53.
Literature Cited
Goold, J. C. and T. A. Jefferson. 2004. A note on clicks recorded from free-ranging Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, Sousa chinensis. Aquatic Mammals 30, 175-178.
Van Parijs, S. M. and P. J. Corkeron. 2001. Vocalizations and behaviour of Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis. Ethology 107, 701-716.
Sex Pheromones in Red-Legged Salamanders
Photo courtesy of Elyse Vacarro
Update in process.