All Of It: The Strange World Of Underwater Ocean Sounds

Hosted by WNYC's All Of It with guest host Koosha Navadar, this episode delves into the enigmatic and intricate world of underwater sounds. Featuring Amarena Kingdon, author of "Sing Like a How Sound Rules Life Underwater," the conversation explores the profound role that sound plays in marine ecosystems and the impact of human-induced noise pollution.

Introduction

In this episode of All Of It, guest host Koosha Navadar engages in a compelling conversation with Amarena Kingdon, the author of Sing Like a How Sound Rules Life Underwater. The discussion centers on the unique nature of underwater sounds, how marine creatures communicate, and the challenges posed by human activities on these sonic environments.

Understanding Underwater Sound

Koosha Navadar begins by highlighting the fundamental differences between sound transmission in water versus air. Kingdon explains:

"Because of how sound moves through water, there's actually more noise down there where vibrations can travel farther and faster than the air. But those sounds are alien to us. We don't intuitively know how to make sense of them like we do with sound on land."
[00:43]

She emphasizes that while humans struggle to interpret these sounds, marine creatures have evolved to navigate and communicate effectively within their underwater soundscape.

Amarena Kingdon's Journey

Kingdon shares her personal experiences and the inspiration behind her book:

"I was a staff writer for a magazine here in Victoria in British Columbia called Hack Eyed Magazine, and they do coastal science... I was starting to find more and more stories where there was mention of humans having an impact or, you know, somehow interfering with animals' sound underwater."
[03:31]

Living in the Salish Sea, a region bustling with port activities and an endangered population of killer whales, fueled her curiosity about the interplay between human-generated noise and marine life communication.

Recording Marine Sounds

Navadar introduces a practical demonstration where Kingdon plays recordings of cusk eels and toadfish. Kingdon recounts her adventure on Cape Cod:

"I embarked on a quest to actually listen to fish. So I got myself a little dip hydrophone... I rented a paddle board on the Bass River in West Dennis... and basically, there's boats passing me, and then I put the hydrophone in the water."
[06:19]

The episode features the distinctive calls of a toadfish:

"That beast is toadfish... just a boop, boop, boop, trying to find its mate."
[09:08]

This immersive experience underscores the often-overlooked auditory landscape beneath the waves.

Human Impact on Marine Soundscapes

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the global growl—a term Kingdon uses to describe the pervasive noise generated by shipping and other human activities:

"Shipping noise permeates pretty much every corner of the ocean. It's been recorded at the bottom of the Mariana Trench... shipping lanes can reduce the space over which you can keep in touch with your family."
[10:55]

Kingdon elaborates on how this noise pollution disrupts:

• Communication: Marine animals like whales rely on sound to maintain social bonds and coordinate activities. Increased noise reduces their effective communication range.

  "For example, if you are a whale that relies on sound to keep in touch with your family, a shipping lane can reduce the space over which you can keep in touch with your family."
  [11:22]

• Predator Detection: Animals dependent on sound to detect predators find it harder to hear and react appropriately.

• Energy Expenditure: Increased need to call louder or more frequently can drain energy reserves, impacting feeding and survival.

Kingdon draws parallels with human experiences, noting that just as chronic noise can affect human health, it poses significant threats to marine life.

Future of Marine Sound Studies

Looking ahead, Kingdon expresses optimism about the expanding role of sound studies in marine science:

"A lot of people who are not acousticians or not sound scientists are actually incorporating sound just into their studies of ecosystems... people are starting to include sound as a sort of aspect of the ecosystem that they haven't looked at before."
[14:00]

She highlights innovative research areas, such as:

• Kelp Forests: Studying how these environments can absorb and mitigate underwater noise.

• Coral Reefs: Exploring how sound moves through and affects these delicate ecosystems.

• Arctic and Deep Sea: Understanding soundscapes in regions less explored, crucial before industrial activities increase due to climate change.

Kingdon also points out the practical benefits of sound monitoring:

"It's easier and quicker to monitor the sounds of an ecosystem than it is to go out and do a lot of expensive and complicated in-person monitoring... you can record the sounds and monitor the sounds of the ecosystem and learn a remarkable amount from it."
[15:10]

Notable Quotes

• Amarena Kingdon:

  "Sound can change cleaner ras fish and the rate at which they try to clean their client fish."
  [03:50]

• Amarena Kingdon:

  "Animals don't have fridges, right? Like they don't have storage. If you want to eat today, you have to hunt today."
  [13:47]

• Cristina De Rossi (Referenced):

  "Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things."
  [Podcast Description]

Conclusion

The episode of All Of It featuring Amarena Kingdon offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of underwater sounds and their vital role in marine ecosystems. By shedding light on the challenges posed by human-induced noise pollution and the innovative scientific approaches being developed to study and mitigate these impacts, the conversation underscores the intricate connections between sound, life, and the health of our oceans. As Kingdon aptly puts it, understanding the sonic environment beneath the waves is crucial for preserving the delicate balance of marine life.

For those interested in exploring the sonic landscapes of our oceans and the profound ways in which sound influences marine life, Amarena Kingdon’s "Sing Like a How Sound Rules Life Underwater" is a must-read.