Maddy Foley
AP Biology
12.11.12
Broad,
William J. "Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution." The
New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Dec. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
I read the
article, “Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution, ” by William J. Broad. The
article details the change that has occurred in the depths of the ocean in the
past decades. This change, is known as “noise pollution,” and involves the new
loud and present sounds that are infiltrating the once quiet ocean ecosystems.
This ocean noises are caused by humans, and more importantly technological
advancements. Sonar blasts of military exercises, commercial ships horns, and
air guns for oil and gas exploration are just a few of the noises penetrating
the deep ocean waters. This change, unfortunately, is having detrimental
effects on the marine populations, particularly whales, who depend on their
hearing to locate food and each other. Many sea mammals evolved to have very
good hearing to make up for the poor visibility in the dark ocean. Marine
biologists have noticed a recent decrease in mammal “talk”, or the voices
whales and dolphins use to communicate, as human noises have increased. This
inability to communicate could mean a decline in hunting and breeding, and
therefore possible extinction for certain mammals in the ocean, but
particularly whales.
Fortunately,
society is recognizing the importance of solving this problem. Certain
solutions are being presented and enforced to protect sea animals and control
ocean noise pollution. Mr. Bahtiarian of Noise Control Engineering has provided
extensive measures to quiet ships. This includes adding layers of
sound-absorbing tiles to the walls of noisy rooms and mounting engines, pumps,
air compressors, and other types of machinery on vibration isolators.
Furthermore, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has designed
maps that use bright colors to symbolize the sounds in the oceanic depths.
These maps will raise awareness of our generation’s contribution to ocean noise
and build a better way to reduce it. Lastly, legal experts are figuring out
ways to create laws, regulations and treaties through United Nations bodies
like the International Maritime Organization that will work to achieve
voluntary noise reductions. It is clear that it is important to further expand
these efforts and become aware of this problem. It is also beneficial to note
the repercussions our technological society can have. Fortunately, the
advancements in science are making it more possible to solve these problems.
I thought
this article was well written and presented the seriousness of the situation in
a comprehensible and factual manner. However, this article frequently mentioned
different organizations and people, making it slightly difficult to follow at
certain points. Yet, the main points and goals were there, and I was left with
an aware yet optimistic attitude for solving this problem.
The article reviewed by Maddy is called, “Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution,” by William J. Broad. The article describes the change that has occurred in the ocean in the past decade. This change, is known as “noise pollution,” and involves the new loud and present sounds that are infiltrating the once quiet ocean ecosystems. These ocean noises are caused by humans, and more importantly technological advancements. This change is having harmful effects on the marine populations, particularly whales, who depend on their hearing to locate food and each other. Many sea mammals evolved to have very good hearing to make up for the poor visibility in the dark ocean. Marine biologists have noticed a recent decrease in mammal “talk”, or the voices whales and dolphins use to communicate, as human noises have increased. This inability for the whales to communicate can cause their extinction.
ReplyDeleteThe article could have been improved if the studies that were done would have been better explained. Also, the review could have been improved if the article explained how the biologists understood that the ship sounds were affected the marine life, for example the tests that were conducted. If the procedures that were taken to understand that the marine life were in danger would have improved the article.
I was impressed that improvements are being made to ships in the ocean to avoid them releasing noise into the ocean. I thought that was very interesting that precautions are being taken to help the survival of marine life.
--Nastaran Soroori
I read the article review that Maddy wrote about on the attempt to reduce Ocean noise pollution. I was impressed by the review she wrote, for it was very thoughtful and well presented. One aspect that was particularly well presented was the background of the article and how it relates to the title. She started off by stating that this “noise pollution,” which has become a major problem in the oceans, involves the new loud and present sounds that are infiltrating the once quiet ocean ecosystems. She also does a good job of explaining how these noise pollutions came to be and how they have affected life in the oceans. Sonar blasts of military exercises, commercial ships horns, and air guns for oil and gas exploration are just a few of the noises penetrating the deep ocean waters. This change, unfortunately, is having detrimental effects on the marine populations, particularly whales, who depend on their hearing to locate food and each other. Maddy also did a good job of describing the effects of these noise pollutions on marine life. Marine biologists have noticed a decrease recent decrease in mammal “talk”, or the voices whales and dolphins use to communicate, which could mean a decline in hunting and breeding.
ReplyDeleteI think this article review could have been improved in the aspect of time. It was unclear to me when exactly this problem had arisen, and when solutions had been contemplated. Another way I would have improved it would be how exactly humans can be so noisy. I understand the technology, but it was a little unclear to me how the sounds of humans can pollute the ocean.
I was surprised to hear legal experts are being involved, for I did not think any plausible solution would come in law.
Maddy did a terrific job opening her article review, going over the background and overall intention of the article, “Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution.” She started off by explaining the purpose of the article in a very broad sense, but soon narrowed down her objective, highlighting the specific effects the noise pollution is having on marine populations. This is in the best interest of the reader. We, as readers, are fully capable of understanding the topic without even reading the article, which I think is very nice about this review. Maddy doesn’t leave out any of the main points, which is phenomenal. Maddy also provides hope to her readers who learn that there is a lot being done in terms of solutions. We are constantly working on quieting our ships, through the use of recent technology such as sound absorbing tiles. One day, we may have laws, which regulate the noise produced by ships.
ReplyDeleteThis review could be improved by perhaps, Maddy suggesting incite of her own, including potential solutions and other things we could do to address this issue of noise pollution in our oceans. I also would have liked to see her discuss more about these futuristic maps that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have designed. The idea, in general, almost seemed like something you would only see in the movies! Lastly, I think she could have been more specific in her closing.
One thing I was impressed with was Maddy’s constant flow of specific references from her article. It is one thing to summarize, and it is another to absorb the important pieces of an article, and to translate that into your own understanding and reflection.
Samantha Past
ReplyDeleteDate: 12/16/12
The review Maddy wrote pertaining to the article, “A Rising Tide of Noise is Now Easy to See,” written by William J. Broad incorporates a generally summary of the article, enabling the reader to quickly become informed. Maddy’s summary in the first paragraph of her review establishes/ explains the main focus and problem the article is discussing, while simplifying the complexity of the issue. Not only does Maddy include a good summary clarifying the main points of the article specifically the major issue regarded, but also Maddy includes solutions to the problem. In her review Maddy addresses the issue discussed and the solutions begin created, therefore allowing the reader to understand the problem, and comprehend possible resolutions. For example, as discussed in the article Maddy also mentions such established solutions in order to quiet ships as, “adding layers of sound-absorbing tiles to the walls of noisy rooms and mounting engines, pumps, air compressors, and other types of machinery on vibration isolators.” By incorporating both the problem and possible solutions in her review, the reader is able to understand the full spectrum of the issue. Another aspect of Maddy’s review that is particularly well presented, is her incorporation of specific people and organizations that are having an impact on the issue, as mentioned in the article. One such man as Mr. Bahtiarian of Noise Control Engineering, who has helped to quiet ships, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an organization that is designing maps to raise awareness of ocean noise, using bight colors to symbolize the sounds in the oceanic depths. The incorporation of such people as Mr. Bahtiarian and an organization like that of Noise Control Engineering informs the reader, of those who are influence the outcome of the issue, and are working to solve the problem.
Although Maddy did a nice job of discussing some solutions created with the purpose of quieting ships in the ocean, perhaps if she included, in detail, more about the solutions discussed in the article; like the results of possible solutions, the reader would be able to learn more about the steps being taken to improve the problem. For example, if Maddy discussed how the, “maps of the North Atlantic show mostly oranges in the upper waters, but many blues appear as the readings go downward as deep as one kilometer, or six-tenths of a mile. At that depth, the sound maps clearly show the ability of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge — a mountain chain that runs down the ocean’s middle — to diminish the radiating noises by breaking up patterns of sound waves,” the reader may be able to understand better the significance of such maps, as they clearly show the problem at hand. Likewise, perhaps if Maddy discussed some of the reasons for such problems in the ocean, like how, “the Navy estimates that blasts from its sonars — used in training and to hunt enemy submarines — result in permanent hearing losses for hundreds of sea mammals every year and temporary losses for thousands.” If the reader understood more about what was causing this problem, then one may be able to do more or inform more people on what to do or who to contact in order to make change happen.
An aspect of the article that particularly caught by attention was the general information regarding sea mammals and their hearing ability. I was unaware sea mammals have evolved sharp hearing, in order to take advantage of sound’s reach and likewise to compensate for poor visibility. As stated in the article, “The heads of whales and dolphins are mazes of resonant chambers and acoustic lenses that give the animals not only extraordinary hearing but complex voices they use to communicate.” I was completely unaware of this fact pertaining to sea mammals and found it particularly interesting.
Maddy did an excellent job reviewing the article “Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution”. Maddy did a great job summarizing the main points of the article. She mentioned what the problem was, noise pollution, and what caused this type of pollution. She also mentioned what was now being done to help reduce noise pollution. In addition, Maddy did a great job explaining why this pollution was so dangerous. She mentioned that noise pollution was especially harmful to whales and dolphins who communicate via different sounds because it was harder for them to communicate with each other. When whales cannot communicate with one another they are more likely to become extinct. A third and final aspect of Maddy’s review that was particularly well done was her criticism of the article. I agree that the article was slightly hard to follow due to the varying view points and the multitude of people that were mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWhile Maddy did a great job on her review there are some areas for improvement. For example, although Maddy mentioned that there were many people mentioned in the article, in her review she only spoke of one of them. To enhance her review Maddy also could have also mentioned the government’s role in reducing noise pollution. The United Nations is trying to find ways to create non-binding guidelines that would reduce noise pollution in international waters. These actions are mainly because people have been pressing the United Nations and other government agencies to help reduce noise pollution.
I learned a great deal from reading this article. Before reading this article I did not know much about noise pollution. But after reading this article I have learned that noise pollution is a serious and dangerous problem for many marine animals.
Marika Chrisanthopoulos
ReplyDeleteAP Biology Commentary
December 17, 2012
Commentary on “Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution” by William J. Broad; Review by Maddy Foley
In the article in the New York Times, “Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution” by William J. Broad, the concept of ocean noise pollution is described and addressed, a problem I had not even known was in existence. The article details the new loud and present sounds in the ocean that are currently disturbing the wildlife that lives in the waters, created by technology and the advancements that have been made in recent years. The sounds have all been caused by humans, including sonar and gas explorations, blasts of military exercises, commercial ship horns, air guns, and more. These gadgets are creating loud noises that are hurting the wildlife and their ability to communicate, and have caused a recent decrease in mammal “talk,” which is the voices that whales and dolphins use to communicate. In her review, Maddy describes the main ideas of the article, including the problems being presented because of these major technological advances. She talks about the possible problems that may occur in the future because of this noise pollution, including instinction or population decline in many species, especially whales, who depend on their hearing for survival. Another thing Maddy does well in her review is that she talks about all the potential that we as humans have to improve this problem; she mentions the efforts of the Noise Control Engineering organization under Mr. Bahtiaran and how he has been trying to quiet ships in order to help. She also talks abou the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and how it has designed maps that use bright colors to symbolize the sounds in the oceanic depths so that we can study the effects of the noises better.
One area where Maddy could have improved the review was in her section where she criticized the author; it could have been better if she mentioned how the different organizations made it more confusing and use certain examples. It could have also been improved if she talked about how much noise the animals can tolerate and what would be acceptable levels of noise in the oceans; how much do we need to do exactly to help these animals? One thing that I learned from this article and from the review was that the problem of noise in oceans is an actual issue that is hurting the animals; not only is physical pollution detrimental to their health and wellness, but intangible objects are hurting them as well.
Maddy did a very good job with her review of "Project Seeks to Map and Reduce Ocean Noise Pollution." Her summary was concise and to the point, and at he same time, it did not leave out any important details. She gave the important facts and information that helped us to understand the article. Maddy also did a very good job of listing specific examples. She gave multiple examples of what causes this excess noise and the steps being taken to reduce this noise on board ships, which helped me to better understand the issues that this article outlined. Another thing Maddy did well was that she did a very good job of outlining how noise pollution effects the world and the steps being taken to stop it. She went into much detail about the different laws and organizations involved with this, which helped a lot.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Maddy did a very good job with her article review, there are a few places in which she could have improved. I think Maddy could have proof read her review one more time because there were a few typos, which made it a little difficult to read at times. Maddy also could have included a few quotes because these give important first hand sources.
Overall, Maddy's article review was very good. I found it amazing how noise can have such detrimental effects on the ecosystem of the ocean. I always saw pollution as the main cause of harm towards marine animals, but I did not know noise could hurt them so much.