The Effects of Noise and Light Pollution on Aquatic Life and Ecosystem Functioning

Abstract

Anthropogenic sensory changes represent one of the increasingly recognized but under-investigated stresses in aquatic and marine systems. Specifically, underwater noise and Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) are now globally ubiquitous pollutants which have significantly altered the physical habitat, masked communication networks, disrupted daily life cycles, and altered intra-specific competition among aquatic species. We assessed the consequences of both sensory stresses combined on taxonomic mortality, physiological stress indicators, and ecosystem service function for a 20-year temporal dataset (2006-2026). Meta-analysis on sensory exposure zones indicated that higher decibel levels have negative and chronic impacts, which caused considerable masking of communication and permanent or temporary shifts in teleost and marine mammal hearing thresholds; ALAN caused reduced and irregular zooplankton vertical migration cycles and confused orientation and foraging behaviors among littoral species. Modeling confirmed the synergistic effects of these stresses on the predator driven increases in mortality and declines in ecosystem service function due to decreased rates of nutrient processing. Finally, the proposed conservation methods-shipping insulation, seasonal light control and managed shipping routes-have been quantitatively modeled to suggest a reduction in stress and a recovery in some ecosystem function. It is clear from the quantitative data that sensory vulnerability threshold must be incorporated into aquatic conservation plans on a local, regional level. This research proposes a framework for incorporating anthropogenic sensory stress into policy.