The effects of Navy on marine life can be difficult to determine, but there are some activities which affect some animal species, and a few of those beings may be vulnerable to its effects. There are so many questions to be answered about the depths of the ocean, what lives there, how large or small the creatures become, how they survive and how they thrive. Sound is vital to marine animals to find food, mates, survival groups and to navigate. For this discussion, I decided to conduct an interview with an experienced friend to contribute information regarding the effects of military actions on ocean life. A lot of the information learned was review, but there were some details I had been unaware of. To summarize the effects of what may happen to marine life, it takes a little explaining.
Sometimes powerful sounds can prove to be lethal to them. The sound of sonar, airguns or more can harm ocean animals. Injury or death can result from these powerful sounds. Noise travels a long way in the ocean and can be very powerful. The low frequency sonar used by the Navy can be heard across the northern Pacific Ocean. We have had sonar since Lewis Nixon created it in 1906 but it was made available to track submarines in 1915 by Paul Langévin. Some sounds generated by humans in ocean environments can have a devastating impact on the ecosystem. Sonar is one way which animals are harmed in the ocean. There is a heavy impact of sound on marine life, such as creating bubbles in whale’s organs, damaging tissue, bleeding, trauma and what is recognized in humans as “the bends.” Though whales are the visible, large victims, there are other casualties among other marine life.
To expand on the information presented, I interviewed a few friends to get an idea of what experience they had in the matter. I talked first to my friend who had served in the Military. He didn’t have experience with Sonar, but he did have experience with sonic effects on ocean life as well as other complications. He told me radioactive SEA-WIZ gun shells containing depleted uranium have been discarded in the ocean. When shot it is so strong, so loud it vibrates very powerfully. I was told when it goes off, it cannot be described and it deafens you and is very invasive. He had ear plugs in and ear cups both on at the same time and it was still unbearably loud. My friend said it was louder than two jet engines which he had worked under. The SEA-WIZ tracks an object, even a missile, and puts up a giant wall of lead that prevents planes or other objects from traveling through it. The entire ship is primarily made of aluminum and amplifies the sound for a long ways.
Another interviewee was able to tell me about being on an aircraft carrier where they served for 8 months. There was a lot of loud occurrences. Although the person did not witness much effects on marine life, it was not talked about. More than sound, the screws were disruptive. Dolphins would play in its wake which could be up to one mile long. Dolphins were very interested in the ship. Sometimes dolphins would get caught up in the screws pushing the boat while playing. Sonar persons may know more as it was their job to listen to the ocean and they could say if the ocean would go silent after a ping. Radar is very load and they would use it to look for enemy submarines which could be as much as once a day. There were contaminants such as discarded trash wafers in the deep sea. Phosphorescent plankton disturbed by the screws would make a green glowing line from the ship for about a mile.
I also interviewed someone who had experience working on Mare Island in the industrial services. They said the ships were being torn apart and the sounds were very loud. There were a variety of dead animals all across the waterfront but they were from many different causes and the person was not sure. The town is by the waterfront and the shoreline has been monopolized with foundries, nuclear refineries, harbors, water refineries, and dilapidated harbors. There are few beaches, habitat is becoming scarce and the preserves have been tainted, sometimes with substances that may have radiation. Harbor seals take up residence on the dilapidated harbors and their world is crumbling away. There are toxins, litter, refinery runoff, and there are warnings to limit or avoid fish consumption as they could be polluted. The water runs to the ocean, Local canals have been known to accumulate pungent sludge. Pollution is a wildlife’s risk and the west coast has a lot of industry made environmentally possible in California.
There are other effects of the Navy on marine life from other activities, some of which is sound related. Dropping anchor is devastatingly loud. It is suspected that in a localized area that it would harm a lot of sea creatures. Not just sound affects marine life. On more than one occasion, garbage has been discarded over the side of ships. This is directly the actions of individuals misbehaving, and it is not necessarily condoned by the Navy. After my interview with my friend, I had a better idea of what kinds of sounds, contaminants, radiation, vibrations and toxins could affect marine life. I had no idea that so many of the sounds produced could have an effect.
Returning to the reading to see how events similar to this may have affected marine life, we can look at the beaching results that coincide with major sonar events and testing. Industries may also have an effect on marine life. From leaking contaminants, to creating sound disturbances or changing the landscape of the ocean in some way these are all things to consider. The interviewee I had didn’t even consider the effects on sea life until our interview. It’s a revealing approach to how people tend to react to the ocean. Most people just don’t realize or understand the impact, but once it is brought to someone’s attention, the ramifications are clear.
In Concise Methods for Predicting the Effects of Underwater Expositions on Marine Life, George Young points out that the shockwave is what harms many of the animals. In his writing, he details that they have been experimenting on the effects of sea life by explosives since the 1940s. Some animals are more resistant to the effects than others. Some of these explosions produce hundreds of pounds of pressure which may produce a powerful shockwave which effects animals. The Navy now understands its effects on the marine environment and has been both restricted in its actions, and it has adopted safeguards to help protect marine species. Thousands of animals have been affected and it is impossible to know the proper death toll. We are still learning how it affects the environment and the animals in the area. Young specifically details how testing protocol is undergone and an area is clearly defined and surveyed to ensure it is free of endangered species and will have a minimal impact on the environment. Estimates and effects are determined. Local animals are examined.
Based off my findings, I would say we should limit our impact on the oceanic environment due to its far reaching impactions. We should not leave ourselves vulnerable to attacks, the Navy provides a valuable services. However, we should continue to enact rules and regulations that will help preserve animals and the environment as necessary. The surveys should continue to be conducted and the education of staff should ensue regarding the effects of dropping contaminants and causing sonic disturbances in the ocean. Proper disposal techniques should be done. Staff should be educated on the impacts on ocean environments.
Source
Concise Methods for Predicting the Effects of Underwater Expositions on Marine Life. Young, George A. Naval Surface Warfare Center. Dahlgren, Virginia. July 1991.
Personal Interview. Anonymous. Retired United States Marine. 2015.
Personal Interview. Anonymous. Retired United States Navy. 2015.
Personal Interview. Anonymous. Assorted Bay Businesses. 2015.
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