| What is the main finding of the research? |
In addition to having an effect on people, the music emitted by the Salvador carnival may negatively affect the behavior of marine animals when propagating into the ocean. This is what an unprecedented study done by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) and the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), published in the journal "Biological Conservation” on Thursday (17), shows about the impact of acoustic emissions on the aquatic environment. |
What: Music emitted by trios eletricos in Salvador can negatively affect the behavior of marine animals by propagating into the oceanWho: UFRN and UFBAWhen: December 17, 2020Where: Journal of Biological ConservationWhy: To assess impact of acoustic emissions on the aquatic environment |
| How was the research done? |
The researchers measured acoustic intensity during the 2018 Salvador carnival (Barra-Ondina circuit) on the beach and underwater on the reef closest to the carnival party. The behavior of the Damselfish, an abundant species in the region, was analyzed in the face of acoustic stress and a false predator. They quantified the abundance of the fish in the area and their feeding rate on a reef near the carnival circuit and on a reef further away, where there was no noise. These experiments were conducted before, during, and after the carnival. |
They quantified the abundance of the fish in the area and their feeding rate on a reef near the carnival circuit and on a reef further away, where there was no noise. |
| How do the results change what was already known in the area of knowledge? |
The increased acoustic intensity underwater, the scientists noted, led the Damselfish to feed less and be less alert to predation. "The extremely loud music from the trios eletricos is actually a form of noise pollution in the marine environment," concludes researcher Antoine Leduc, one of the study's authors. |
The extremely loud music of the trios eletricos is a form of noise pollution in the marine environment. |
| How do results change people's lives? |
For Antoine, the study shows the importance of considering terrestrial sources of acoustic emissions in order to plan the management and conservation of coastal marine environments. Furthermore, he questions "whether the acoustic intensity emitted at carnival is healthy for people, since even fish suffer negative impacts from these acoustic emissions." |
One must also consider terrestrial sources of acoustic emissions in order to plan the management and conservation of coastal marine environments. |
| What happens now in the face of the results/conclusions? |
The researcher ponders, however, that it is not yet known precisely what the long-term consequences of this noise pollution are for the species. "Further studies will need to be done to assess how this source of pollution affects other species and how far offshore the acoustic effects of carnival impact the marine environment." |
Long-term consequences of noise pollution need to be assessed. |
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Source: authors elaboration.