19 January, 2025

Time: 11:00

Capacity: 25 people

Access: Entrance through the Quinta gate – Rua Bartolomeu Velho, n.º 141

Panoramic Room – Quinta do Parque de Serralves

Free access, but mandatory registration via this link.

Language: Portuguese

In the underwater world, where light is scarce, many organisms use sound to interact with each other and their environment. And it’s not just marine mammals, known for their vocalizations and echolocation, that rely on sound for navigation, communication, and feeding. Numerous fish and invertebrates use sound in similar ways. The underwater environment has its natural soundscape, created by organisms, weather (such as the noise of waves and rain), and geological events (like earthquakes). However, this soundscape is increasingly being invaded by anthropogenic noise.

With the rise of human activities, especially navigation, as well as marine resource exploitation—from fishing to energy production and, more recently, underwater mining—underwater noise levels have significantly increased. The physical characteristics of the aquatic environment make noise even more impactful in water than on land. This has led to growing underwater noise pollution, which interferes with the basic life functions of marine organisms, overlapping their communication and disorienting them. It is essential to raise awareness about this form of pollution and seek solutions to mitigate its effects on marine ecosystems.

Researcher: Ana Bio

More on the event here.