Minimizing Noise in Fiberglass Aquaculture Tanks: Noise Reduction Potential of Various Retrofits

摘要

Intensive aquaculture systems often utilize equipment (e.g., aerators, air and water pumps, harvesters, blowers, filtration systems, and maintenance machinery) that could potentially increase noise levels in fish culture tanks. Concerns have been raised that existing sound levels in the environment and in aquaculture facilities could negatively impact aquatic organisms. Possible effects include impairment of sensory systems such as the auditory system, increased stress, and reduced growth rates. Temporary hearing loss and stress responses were found in goldfish, Carassius auratus, following exposure to white noise with a bandwidth of 0.1 to 10 kHz and average sound pressure levels (SPL's) of 160-170 dB re 1 uPa (Smith et al., 2004). Simulated boat engine noise (0.3-4.0 kHz, 142 dB re 1 uPa) resulted in elevated auditory thresholds in the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas (Scholik and Yan, 2002).