exclusive economic zonea zone extending up to 200 nautical miles (370km) from a nation's territorial waters into the ocean where that nation has jurisdiction over natural resources such as fisheries and energy production. The Exclusive Economic Zone is defined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Also called the EEZ.
Precipitationany liquid or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere (clouds) and falls back to the Earth (e.g. rain, hail, sleet, and snow).
A-weightingthe most commonly used frequency weighting function for humans that accounts for the fact that human hearing is less sensitive to low frequencies; units dB(A) or dBA.
absorptionthe conversion of acoustic energy to heat energy
accelerationthe rate of change of velocity with respect to magnitude or direction.
accelerometera device that measures the vibration, or change in motion (acceleration) of a structure or organism. The force caused by vibration or a change in motion causes piezoelectric material within the device to be squeezed, which produces an electrical charge that is proportional to the force exerted upon it. Since the charge is proportional to the(...)
accuracythe degree of closeness of measurements of a quantity to its actual value.
acoustic environmentthe composite of all sounds in an environment. The perception of the acoustic environment for each animal will vary depending on its hearing abilities.
acoustic impedancethe amount of sound pressure generated by a given vibration at a specific frequency.
acoustic indexa statistic that summarizes several aspects of the distribution of acoustic energy and information. Acoustic indices have been developed to estimate characteristics of the acoustic production of biological communities including richness and heterogeneity.
acoustic lensa delay-and-sum beamformer in which the delays and sums are accomplished by the refraction and concentration of acoustic rays induced by the curved surface of the lens.
acoustic modema wireless communication device used to transmit data and information through the ocean
acoustic propagation modelsconceptual and numerical models that compute how sound travels through the water, taking into account many variables such as water temperature, salinity, bottom topography, etc.
acoustic reflex (AR)the contraction of the middle-ear muscles in response to sound stimulation. The reflex decreases the transmission of vibrational energy to the cochlea.
acoustic releasea device which holds onto the anchor of a buoyant instrument until it is commanded to release it
acoustic telemetryto transmit acoustic signals automatically and at a distance, as between a ground station and an artificial satellite, space probe, or the like, especially in order to record information, operate guidance apparatus, etc
acoustic thresholdthe received level at which an effect from acoustic exposure may begin to occur.
acoustic tomographyuses the travel time of sound in the ocean to measure the temperature of the ocean over large areas
adaptationan alteration in the structure or function of an organism or any of its parts that results in the organism becoming better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment.
ADCPAcoustic Doppler Current Profiler; an instrument used to measure the current using acoustic sound and the knowledge of the Doppler effect
agonistic behavioraggressive or defensive social interaction (such as fighting, fleeing, or submitting) between individuals usually of the same species
airgunAn airgun is designed to release compressed air, which forms bubbles. The formation of bubbles produces a loud sound that is used to explore the geologic structure of the ocean floor. Airguns primarily produce sound at low frequencies (between 10-500 Hz); however, high frequencynoise is also created. A small airgun that releases 0.16 Liters(...)
algorithma step-by-step procedure for calculations/solving a problem.
ambient noisebackground sound in the ocean. Examples of sound sources contributing to ambient noise include waves, wind, rain, shrimp, earthquakes, volcanoes, and distant sources, such as shipping and airguns.
annelid
worms or wormlike animals of the phylum Annelida, characterized by an elongated, cylindrical, segmented body with movable bristles (or setae); includes the earthworms, polychaete worms, and leeches.
Antarctic Convergence
a zone in the Southern Ocean that separates the waters surrounding Antarctica from sub-Antarctic regions. Waters around Antarctica are colder and slightly less saline than north of the convergence zone
Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC)a deep-water laboratory located in the Bahamas (in the Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO)) that is instrumented with a variety of acoustic beacons and sensors to provide testing, evaluation, and certification for U.S. Navy submarine captains and their crews, as well as the accuracy of their undersea weapons. A Marine Mammal Monitoring (M3R) system(...)
attenuatereduce the force or effect of; the gradual loss of flux intensity through a medium.
attenuationthe decrease in the intensity of a wave due to the loss of acoustic energy to heat energy
audiograma graph expressing hearing loss (hearing sensitivity) as a function of frequency
audiometric curvea graph displaying the range of sounds that humans can hear.
auditory brainstem response (ABR)Whenever a sound wave is detected by the ear, it triggers a number of neuro-physiological responses along the auditory pathway. An auditory brainstem response test is an objective test that measures the electrical potential produced in response to sound stimuli by the synchronous discharge of the first through sixth order neurons in the(...)
automatic gain control (AGC)a system that automatically controls the increase in the amplitude of an electrical signal. “Gain” controls how loud something is before it goes through any processing.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)an automated tracking system used to electronically identify and locate ships. AIS uses GPS-linked, very high frequency radio signals that allow for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore information transfer. Information transmitted includes a ship's name, position, speed, heading, and other information. These details are transmitted multiple(...)
autonomousexisting and/or functioning independently; with regards to ocean-going vehicles, one which travels at the surface or underwater without requiring input from an operator.
axial musclesfolded muscle segments that, when contracted, produce a wavelike motion that moves the fish through the water
backscatterthe deflection of sound in a scattering process through an angle greater than 90 degrees. Backscatter is the term commonly used to describe the return of sound from the seafloor to the receiver in an active sonar.
baleenseries of horny plates that hang from the gums of the upper jaw of some large whales (called Mysticetes). The baleen is made from the same materials as human hair and fingernails. It is used to filter small bits of food from the water.
baleen whalesThese large cetaceans are usually more than 9.1 m (30 ft) long and can be found throughout the ocean. Instead of teeth, mysticetes have a series of horny plates called baleen. The baleen is made from the same materials as human hair and fingernails. The baleen plates hang from the gums of the upper jaw and are used to filter small bits of(...)
barotraumaThe result of an inability to equalize pressures between the environment and an air-filled area of the body. This can happen in air (such as ear discomfort and ear drum injury when planes descend or ascend) or in water (such as injuries to lung tissues or middle ears when scuba diving). Barotrauma typically occurs at much lower pressures(...)
basilar membranea membrane in the cochlea of the ear that vibrates in response to sound. As sound vibrations progress down the ear, a fluid wave that is created by the movement of the third ossicle, the stapes, moves the basilar membrane. The basilar membrane is the part of the cochlea that separates sounds according to their frequency.
bathymetrycharting of the sea floor using water depth measurements
bathythermographan instrument that makes a record of the temperature at various depths in the ocean
beaconan acoustic signaling device that continually sends out a repetitive signal. Acoustic beacons, sometimes called pingers, are used to mark the locations of underwater objects.
beam patterna graphical or other description of the response of a transducer used for sound transmission or reception as a function of the direction of the transmitted or incident sound waves.
beamforminga general signal processing technique used to control the directionality of the reception or transmission of a signal on an array of sensors. Using beamforming during sound transmission, the majority of signal energy is transmitted in a specified direction. During sound reception, beamforming allows sensors to predominantly receive energy(...)
benthicliving on the bottom of the sea (or a lake).
biodiversitya contraction of “biological diversity,” it generally refers to the amount of variability within species, among species, and among ecosystems.
biologically significantan action or activity that affects an animal's ability to grow, survive, or reproduce.
biomagnificationthe process by which a compound (such as a pollutant or pesticide) increases its concentration in the tissues of organisms as it travels up the food chain. (also known as bioamplification or biological magnification)
biomassmeasure of the amount of living material in an area, usually expressed in units of weight per unit volume
bistatic sonarwhen the sound source and receiver are located in different places
bivalvean aquatic mollusk that has a compressed body enclosed within a hinged shell, such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops.
blast injuryInjuries that occur as a result of an explosion (blast) which produces a shock wave with rapid shifts to extremely high pressures (compression) followed by lower than ambient pressures (rarefaction). These sudden pressure extremes can produce direct physical injury to body tissues or indirect injuries from debris or transport of bodies into(...)
bowridinga common activity of dolphins and other cetaceans in which marine mammals swim in front of a vessel, riding or surfing on the pressure wave created by the vessel
brisancethe ability to shatter nearby objects because of the rapid release of energy and the rapid increase in pressure by explosives.
broadbanda sound signal that includes acoustic energy across a wide range of frequencies.
bubble feedinga feeding process where whales trap a school of prey (fish or krill) by blowing a series of bubbles as the whales swim to the surface. The bubbles form a curtain that rises to the surface of the water and concentrates the prey in the center. The whales charge through with their mouths open to engulf the fish or krill.
bubble frequencythe frequency equal to the reciprocal of the time interval between the shock wave and the first bubble pulse.
bubble pulsessecondary shock waves of explosions in which the bubbles repeatedly grow larger and smaller.
buccal cavitythe anterior portion of the oral cavity, also sometimes referred to as the vestibule or entry area of the oral cavity. It is the region bounded by teeth and gums, jaws, and cheeks.
buoyancythe upward force on a free floating or submerged object, independent of the object's weight; gives submerged objects the weightless appearance.
burst pulsed soundsa rapid series of broadbandclicks similar to those used in echolocation, but with a much shorter interclick interval of 0.5-10ms. Given this very high pulse repetition rate, greater than 300 pulses/second, more clicks are produced per unit time with burst pulsed sounds.
bycatchthe harvest of fish (or any marine organism) other than the species for which the fishing gear was set
byssal threadsstring like substance that is secreted by mussels to allow the mussel to attach to hard substrates like rocks
C-weightinga frequency weighting function that was originally designed to predict the human ear’s sensitivity to tones at high noise levels; however, nearly all noise measurements for hearing conservation are measured with A-weighting; units dB(C) or dBC.
calderadepression formed at the summit of a volcano
callositiesthick, white patches of hardened skin, called chitin, that are covered with tiny crustaceans, called whale lice." These patches are found on the heads
calvethe sudden release and breaking away of a mass of ice from a glacier, iceberg, ice front, or ice shelf.
canine teethsharp, fang-like teeth adapted for capturing and penetrating prey
catadromousfish that are born in saltwater, migrate into freshwater as juveniles where they grow into adults, before migrating back into the ocean to spawn.
caudal peduncleThe narrow part of the body to which the caudal fin (or tail) attaches to the body.
cavitationformation of gas-filled cavities in liquids in motion when the pressure is reduced to a critical value. Low pressure regions are often created by rotating ship propellers. As the propellers rotate, bubbles form in the water. A loud acoustic sound is created when these bubbles collapse.
center frequencywhen describing a sonar system, the frequency with the highest intensity, usually listed as the operating frequency of the sonar.
central nervous systemthe complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body. In vertebrates it comprises the brain and spinal cord.
chelae
hinged, pincer-like claws at the end of certain limbs of some crustaceans and arachnids (e.g. crabs, lobsters, and scorpions). Typically, chelae are curved and sharply pointed and are used for feeding, defense, and courtship. They can be referred to as claws, nippers, or pincers; legs bearing chelae are called chelipeds.
chelipedone of the pair of legs that bears the large chelae in decapod crustaceans. A male fiddler crab has an enlarged claw or cheliped.
chirpa signal in which the frequency changes with time; the opposite type of signal is a pure-frequency tone where the frequency remains the same throughout the signal.
chronicdeveloping over an extended period of time and long-lasting. Chronic conditions are long term in nature, and usually have slow to develop symptoms that potentially worsen over time.
cichlidsfamily (Cichlidae) of freshwater fishes found throughout tropical and subtropical waters of the Americas, Africa and parts of Asia
clicka short pulse of sound, often used to describe pulses produced by toothed whales for echolocation.
click trainrapid sequence of clicks, produced by whales and dolphins, that are associated with echolocation. The clicks are emitted from the melon of the whale.
cochleathe spiral-shaped chamber within the inner ear that transforms sound waves into nerve impulses. The cochlea is a fluid-filled organ that houses many structures related to hearing, including the basilar membrane and the organ of Corti. It is considered the organ of hearing.
coelenterates
a group of aquatic invertebrates that includes jellyfishes, corals, and sea anemones. They are distinguished by having a saclike body with a single opening ringed with tentacles.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban TreatyThe Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions on Earth whether for military or for peaceful purposes. It was adopted by the United NAtions General Assembly in 1996. The treaty contains provisions for monitoring which include acoustic monitoring. The treaty is not yet in force because it has not been ratified by(...)
conditioned responsea response that becomes associated with a previously unrelated stimulus as a result of pairing the stimulus with another stimulus normally yielding the response.
conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD)oceanographic tool used to determine the essential physical properties of sea water: conductivity (salinity), temperature, and depth. Depth measurements are derived from measurement of hydrostatic pressure and salinity is measured from electrical conductivity. The CTD may be incorporated into an array of sampling bottles referred to as a(...)
conspecificanimals (or plants) belonging to the same species
contact callssounds produced by closely associated conspecifics (individuals of the same species) as a means of keeping in touch. Contact calls are important for individual, mate, and kin recognition as well as group cohesion and movement coordination. A wide variety of social information can be encoded in the acoustic structure of contact calls.
continental shelfthe gently sloping undersea region between a continent and the deep ocean.
corticosteroida type of hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids levels may be elevated as a response to stress.
courtshipbehaviors in animals, that are used to initiate mating
critical anglethe arrival angle at which a sound wave traveling from one medium to another medium will be refracted along the interface of the two media. If a wave traveling from one medium to another medium with a higher speed of sound hits the interface between the two media at an arrival angle less than the critical angle, only reflection will occur; at(...)
critical habitatspecific geographic area(s) that contains features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may require special management and protection.
critical ratiothe ratio, in decibels, of the signal power to the noise power in a 1-Hz band (centered at the test frequency) required to reliably detect a signal at some predetermined level of correctness
critically endangeredA category on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species which indicates a taxon is considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
crustaceansa class of mainly aquatic, gill-breathing arthropods such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles. They usually have a hard exoskeleton and two pairs of antennae.
ctenophore
gelatinous, aquatic invertebrate also known as a "comb jelly". They use rows of cilia ("combs") to swim. Most species have eight strips, called comb rows, that run the length of their bodies and bear comb-like bands of cilia, called "ctenes". When the cilia beat, those of each comb touch the comb below . The name "ctenophora" means(...)
Cycleone complete vibration of a particle through a wave, e.g., from equilibrium to the crest through equilibrium to the trough and back to equilibrium.
cylindrical spreadingenergy spreading out from a sound source in the shape of a cylinder; no energy radiates above the top or below the bottom of the cylinder
dB peaka unit of relative pressure when the pressure of the sound wave is characterized as the peak pressure.
decapod crustaceancrustacean that has five pairs of walking legs, a segmented body, and chitinous exoskeleton. Examples include lobsters, crayfish, crabs, shrimps, and prawns.
decibela relative unit used to describe sound intensities. Written as dB. See Advanced Topic: Introduction to Decibels.
decompression sicknessknown as the bends, a condition that occurs in deep-sea divers caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood and tissues following a sudden decrease in the surrounding pressure. This occurs when ascending rapidly from a deep dive and is characterized by severe pains in the joints and chest, skin irritation, cramps, and paralysis.
delphinidcetaceans of the family Delphinidae, the most diverse of cetacean families. Includes oceanic whales and dolphins, such as, killer whales, pilot whales, common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins
demersalliving and/or feeding on or near the bottom of seas or lakes.
densitythe distribution of a quantity (such as mass, electricity, or energy) per unit usually of space (such as length, area, or volume); the degree of compactness or concentration of a substance.
depredatethe removal and/or damage of netted or hooked fish and bait from fishing gear. Generally, to prey upon, to make a prey of.
derivedformed or developed from something else; not original. NOTE: different areas of science have more specialized definitions for this term (e.g. in paleontology, derived characteristics means something has evolved to fit a particular pressure).
detection probability p(D)the probability of correctly deciding on the basis of a statistical test that a signal is present when it is in fact present.
detection thresholdthe signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (in decibels) required to achieve a specified probability of detection p(D) for a given probability of false alarm p(FA) when deciding whether or not a signal is present at a receiver.
diffuse
the spreading out of molecules or atoms (or energy), generally away from from higher concentrations
digital datainformation that is represented in a coded form, as a series of zeros and ones
dinner bell "effect"when an underwater sound (or some other stimulant) acts like a dinner bell, alerting and attracting an animal to the presence of a food source.
directionalproducing or receiving sound only from certain angles or directions
displacementthe linear distance in a given direction between a point and a reference position.
distributionthe frequency of occurrence of a specific value in a set of measurements.
doppler effectthe raising or lowering of the frequency of a sound due to the motion of the source of the sound relative to the listener. The most common example is the rising frequency of a train whistle as the train approaches.
dorsal finthe main fin found on the back of fishes and some marine mammals. Some whales, such as the killer whale, have tall dorsal fins, while other whales (i.e. belugas and bowheads) have no dorsal fin.
duty cycle
the time period or fraction of one time period in which a signal or system is active
echinodermmarine invertebrates with tube feet and five-part radially symmetrical bodies. The group includes sea urchins, sea stars, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, and crinoids.
echo-countingwhen individual (sonar) targets are spaced far enough apart that they can be distinguished from one another, the number of targets are counted (and the number of fish estimated).
echo-integrationwhen more than one target (e.g. a fish school) is located in an acoustic beam at the same depth, and it is not possible to resolve them separately. The total acoustic energy backscattered by the school or aggregation is integrated together, and this total is divided by the (previously determined) backscattering coefficient of a single(...)
echo rangingdetermining the distance to an object by measuring the time between transmitting a sound signal and hearing its echo.
echo signaturea unique sonar return (reflection) that can be used to identify individual species of marine organisms, such as fish, or other submerged objects
echolocationa process for locating distant or hard-to-see objects using the reflection of sound waves. The distance of objects or depth of the seafloor can be determined by measuring the time it takes for reflected sound waves (echoes) to return to the sound source. Some whales and dolphins use echolocation to identify underwater objects and to help find food.
echosounderan instrument that uses sound echoes to determine the water depth. The instrument emits sound waves that travel to the bottom of the ocean and are reflected back. Depth is determined by timing how long it takes the sound pulse to leave the instrument, travel to the seafloor, and return to the receiver on the ship.
echosoundingthe technique of measuring the depth of a body of water by means of an echosounder, an electrical depth sounder that uses sound echoes. The instrument emits sound waves that travel to the bottom of the ocean and are reflected back. Depth is determined by timing how long it takes the sound pulse to leave the instrument, travel to the seafloor,(...)
ecologythe scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment.
ecotypeecologically distinct groups or communities; in this case, groups exhibiting different dietary specializations and corresponding behavioral adaptions, such as hunting techniques and acoustic repertoires.
eddyenergetic, swirling, unsteady flows that are found almost everywhere in the ocean
eDNA
organismal DNA that can be found in the environment. Environmental DNA (eDNA) originates from cellular material shed by organisms (via skin, excrement, etc.), which can be collected and monitored using molecular methods.
efferentmoving or carrying outward or away from a central part. For example: efferent blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart or efferent nerves carrying signals away from the brain.
elasmobrancha group of cartilaginous fish that comprises the sharks, rays, and skates.
elasmobranchsa group of fishes, including sharks, rays and skates, that has a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone; they also do not have a swim bladder.
entanglementwhales, seals, sea lions, and other marine animals may come into contact with lost or active fishing gear, causing the gear to become twisted around their bodies and/or snagged on different body parts. When this occurs, the animal is considered entangled.
epicenterthe point on the earth's surface (on land or underwater) vertically above the focus of an earthquake.
equal energy hypothesisassumption that sounds of equal SELcum produce an equal risk for hearing loss (i.e., if the SELcum of two sources are similar, a sound from a lower level source with a longer exposure duration may have similar risks to a shorter duration exposure from a higher level source).
equal latencythe assumption in hearing studies that sounds that are perceived to be equally loud result in equal response times, thereby allowing response time to be a proxy for perceived loudness.
equal loudness curvea graph of the perceived intensity (loudness) of sounds. The loudness of a sound is different for different frequencies.
estuarya coastal body of water formed when freshwater from rivers and streams flows into the ocean, mixing with the seawater. Estuaries and the lands surrounding them are places of transition from land to sea, and from freshwater to saltwater. Although influenced by the tides, estuaries are protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds, and(...)
exoskeletona hard outer structure, such as the carapace of a lobster or crab, that provides protection or support for an organism (especially invertebrates).
expendable bathythermographa probe which is dropped from a ship and measures the temperature as it falls through the water. Two very small wires transmit the temperature data to the ship where it is recorded for later analysis. The probe is designed to fall at a known rate, so that the depth of the probe can be inferred from the time since it was launched. By plotting(...)
explosive sound sourcea device that uses explosive material to generate controlled acoustic energy.
extinctionthe end of an organism or group of taxa. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of that species (although the capacity to reproduce and recover may have been lost before this point).
extrapolateto estimate or expand unknown data based on known facts and/or observations.
extrapolationusing evidence and inferences from a similar situation to project information about a related event or process. Extrapolation can also be used to apply or transfer experimental observations from a model to the real world.
false alarmincorrectly deciding on the basis of a statistical test that a signal is present when it is in fact absent. A false positive.
false alarm probability p(FA)the probability of incorrectly deciding on the basis of a statistical test that a signal is present when it is in fact absent.
false negativean error when one concludes that there is not a real difference between two means when, in fact, there is a difference; also called a Type II error.
false positivean error when one concludes that there is a real difference between two means when, in fact, there is not; also called a Type I error.
fisherythe industry or occupation devoted to the catching, processing, or selling of fish, shellfish, or other aquatic animals.
fishestwo or more fish species. For example, if you have three fish species in an aquarium (such as a clownfish, damselfish, and goby), you would say "three fishes." If you have three clownfish (all of the same species), you would say "three fish".
frequency weightinga method for quantitatively compensating for the fact the animals do not hear equally well at all frequencies within their hearing range.
ganglion cellsnerve cells that have their cell bodies outside of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Auditory ganglion cells carry sound information from the inner hair cells to the auditory nerve.s
gas glanda modification of the inner lining of the bladder, which works with the rete mirabile to force gases into the bladder
gross tonnagea measure of the cargo carrying capacity or the volume of a ship.
ground truthinformation, or the determination of facts, provided by direct observation. Often performed to check the accuracy of data or other observations.
habitat impedimenta hindrance or obstruction that restricts migratory movements and/or prevents a species from accessing habitat necessary for spawning, foraging, and other activities.
habituateto become accustomed to something through repeated or prolonged exposure
hair cellsmechano-transducers that detect energy or pressure changes. They are complex structures that include a cell body on the surface of a membrane. At the base of the hair cell are one or more neural synapses. On the upper surface of the hair cell are hair-like projections called stereocilia, commonly in bundles. These stereocila bend in(...)
harmonic frequencythe part of a signal whose frequency is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. Harmonic frequencies are related to each other by simple whole number ratios, for example if the fundamental frequency is f, the harmonics have frequencies of 2f, 3f, 4f, etc.
Heard Island Feasibility Test (HIFT)an expedition to Heard Island in the southern Indian Ocean during which acoustic sources suspended below a ship transmitted acoustic signals to receivers around the globe. Heard Island was selected because signals transmitted from that location can reach both coasts of North America. HIFT showed that underwater acoustic signals could be(...)
hearing generalista fish species in which the swim bladder aids very little or not at all in hearing sensitivity
hearing groupsgroups of marine mammals defined by the generalized range of frequencies that species in the group can hear.
hearing rangethe range of frequencies the ear of an animal can detect.
hearing thresholdthe minimum intensity at which a sound of a specific frequency is reliably detected in absolute quiet conditions. The intensity level varies with frequency. Also called threshold of hearing.
heavy oilvery thick oil that has little to no evaporation and/or dissolution properties and weathers very slowly. Heavy oil is depleted in hydrogen relative to light oil, and fewer refined products are derived from heavy oil. Cleanup of heavy oils is also very difficult. Heavy crude oil is an example of a heavy oil.
hemorrhagesflow of blood from a ruptured blood vessels; excessive bleeding
herbivore
an organism that feeds mostly on plants.
hermaphroditican animal or plant having both male and female reproductive organs
Hertzthe unit of frequency; the number of cycles, or wavelengths, in a second (cycles/second)
hierarchya system or organization in which people, animals, or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
High Arcticthe northernmost part of the Arctic, including the circumpolar Arctic Ocean with its surface ice and its most northerly coastal margins and islands.
histograma representation of a distribution by means of rectangles whose widths represent class intervals and whose areas are proportional to the corresponding frequencies of occurrence.
homologoussimilar in position, structure, and evolutionary origin but not necessarily in function.
hullthe main body of a ship or vessel (most of which goes under the water), including the bottom, sides, and deck but not the masts, superstructure, rigging, engines, and other fittings.
hydratewater ice with methane molecules trapped within the ice structure.
hydraulic hammera large, industrial hammer that is operated by a fluid that is under pressure (hydraulics). A hydraulic hammer is a modern type of piling hammer used in place of diesel and air hammers for driving steel pipe, precast concrete, and timber piles.
hydrocarbon
an organic compound containing only hydrogen and carbon; often occurring in crude oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as plant life.
hydrodynamicof, relating to, or operated by the force of liquid in motion
hydrofoila vessel that is lifted partially above the water by wing-like structures mounted on struts below the hull of a boat.
hydrokineticthe conversion of kinetic energy produced by flowing water into electricity, or other forms of energy.
hydrophonean underwater microphone that will listen to, or pick up, acoustic signals. A hydrophone converts acoustic energy into electrical energy and is used in passive underwater systems to listen only.
hydrophone arrayseveral hydrophones attached to each other at known fixed distances so the location of sound sources can be calculated.
hyperthermiaa condition where the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate, causing one's body temperature to become elevated to a potentially dangerous level.
hypothermiaa condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing one's body temperature to become dangerously low.
hypothesisa tentative explanation proposed by a scientist for observations that cannot be explained by existing scientific theories. A careful statement of a tentative or provisional conclusion to be tested.
IESInverted Echosounder; an instrument used to measure the temperature of the water column at a single point
immunological responsea bodily defense reaction that recognizes an invading substance (such as a virus, fungus, or bacteria, or a transplanted organ) and produces antibodies specific to that invading substance.
impulsive sounda broadband signal generated by sound sources such as explosions and airguns in which the sound pressure is very large at the instant of the explosion and then decays rapidly away; the duration of the peak pressure pulse is usually only a few milliseconds.
Infauna
marine animals that live in the seafloor such as clams or worms
infrasonicsound waves that have a frequency that is lower than what humans can hear (i.e. below about 20 hertz). Baleen whales, such as blue and fin whales, produce these low frequency sounds. The sounds may be used to communicate over long distances and to detect large-scale topography of the seafloor. On land, elephants also use these powerful(...)
inhomogeneitiesparts that are not the same as the larger whole or not uniform in composition
inner earthe innermost part of the ear that is surrounded by the skull bone. It contains the organs of balance and hearing. The inner ear contains the vestibular system that helps maintain our balance. It also contains the cochlea that transforms sound waves into nerve impulses that are carried to the brain.
intensitythe average amount of sound power (sound energy per unit time) transmitted through a unit area in a specified direction. The unit of intensity is watts per square meter. For simplicity, the magnitude of the intensity is often referred to as the intensity, without specifying the direction in which the sound is traveling.
inter-click intervalthe time it takes an echolocation signal to be sent out and an echo to return, combined with the time the animal needs to receive and process that echo.
interface wave
a type of wave that is only found at the interface between two dissimilar media such as at the boundary of the sea floor and the ocean
invertebratean animal that lacks a backbone (marine examples include lobsters, shrimp, squid, clams, crabs, and sea stars).
ionan atom or a group of atoms that has an electric charge. Positive ions, or cations, are formed by the loss of electrons; negative ions, or anions, are formed by the gain of electrons.
kerplunkstechnique used by dolphins to drive fish away from protected areas such as sea grass beds. A dolphin will lift its tail and lower body out of the water and crash it down on the water surface. This causes a loud splash and creates a trail of bubbles under the water. The bubbles startle the fish hiding in the seagrass and flush them from their(...)
keystonea species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed, the ecosystem would drastically change
kinetic energythe energy possessed by a system or object as a result of its motion.
knotsa unit of speed equal to one nautical mile (1.852 km) per hour, approximately 1.151 mph.
krillsmall, shrimp-like invertebrates (also called euphausiids) that swarm in dense patches within the water column or at the sea surface. They have hard mouths and tail parts that reflect sound. Krill is an important food source for many marine organisms including whales and seals.
labyrintha complex system of interconnecting bony or membranous cavities, particularly those concerned with hearing and balance
lanugothe soft, downy hair that covers some newborn mammals; in Arctic seals, it is a white fur that is highly prized by seal hunters, most famously associated with the hunting of harp seal pups
laryngeal sacan inflatable “pouch”, or often a pair of pouches, that are generally located ventral to the larynx in many mammals, particularly in primates (but not in humans), hooved mammals (e.g., reindeer, horses, antelopes), and cetaceans. The functions of laryngeal sacs are not completely understood. Like the vocal sacs of frogs, laryngeal sacs may(...)
larynxthe upper part of the trachea (air passage) that contains the vocal folds
lateral linesensory organ, found in fishes, that runs long the length of their body. The lateral line allows fish to sense movement.
latitudethe angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, or of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator, usually expressed in degrees and minutes.
ligamentsstrong, flexible bands of tissue that hold two or more bones together at moveable joints. They help restrain the movement of bones at the joint.
light oilvery fluid oil that has a strong odor, high concentrations of soluble, toxic compounds, and a high evaporation rate. Light oils consist largely of benzene and toluene. Gasoline and diesel fuel are examples of light oils.
localizedetermine the direction the sound is coming from.
LOFARLow Frequency and Ranging sonobuoy; a type of passive acoustic sonobuoy
logarithmicof, relating to, or expressed in terms of logarithms. A logarithm is the power to which a base, such as 10, must be raised to produce a given number.
Lombard Effectthe unconscious tendency of a person or animal to raise and/or lower their voice when going from a relatively quiet to a noisy environment and vice versa
longitudinal wavea disturbance in which the particles and the energy move in the same direction
loudnesshow loud a person perceives a sound to be. Not the same as the intensity of the sound. The perceivedloudness varies with frequency.
lunge-feedinga method of feeding underwater in which the predator moves forward with its mouth open, engulfing the prey along with the water surrounding it.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)method of producing a three-dimensional image of object by recording the signals the object emits when placed in a magnetic field
manateeLarge, herbivorous, aquatic mammal that inhabits warm coastal and inland waters of the southeastern U.S., West Indies, northern South America, and West Africa. Manatees have a robust, rounded body, small head, paddle-shaped flippers, and a flattened, rounded tail. The animals are members of the genus Trichechus.
mandibleone of the jaw structures of animals. For example, in vertebrates, it is the lower jaw bone; in insects it is one of the anterior mouth parts.
marine foulingthe accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, and/or animals on surfaces immersed in the ocean. Buildup on marine vessels poses a significant problem.
marine vibroseis
a technique for creating a geophysical survey sound source by displacing a volume of water with a vibrating plate or shell to create a pressurewave. Also called a marine vibrator.
maskingreduced ability to detect, recognize, or understand sounds of interest because of interference by other sounds
masking sounds
sounds that compete with sounds of interest for reception and processing in the ear of an animal. Also known as "maskers".
mass strandinga stranding event where 2 or more animals, excluding mother-calf pairs, unless a third animal strands, strand together in time and place.
medianthe "middle" value in the list of numbers. To find the median, observations are arranged in order from smallest to largest value. If there is an odd number of observations, the median is the middle value. If there is an even number of observations, the median is the average of the two middle values.
mediumsubstance or material that carries or transports the wave from its source to other locations. In the open ocean, the medium through which the wave travels is the ocean water.
melonlipid-filled sac in the forehead of whales that helps to focus sound
mesopelagic boundary communitysmall (less than 4 inches long) fishes, shrimps, and squids that live in the middle of the water column and near islands
metamorphosisthe process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form.
methane fluxrate of movement of methane from one reservoir to another, between seafloor sediments and the water column.
Mid-frequency Active sonar
A naval sonar system primarily used to detect submarines, defined as a sonar that emits in the frequencies from 1kHz to 10kHz by the U.S. Navy. Often abbreviated MFA.
mid-ocean ridgeunderwater mountain chain where new ocean crust is created.
Mid-ocean ridgeunderwater mountain chain where new ocean crust is created.
middle earthe air-filled cavity that lies between the outer ear and the inner ear. The middle ear contains the ossicles which conduct sound vibration from the eardrum to the inner ear.
migrationmovement of a group of animals from one location to another
missIncorrectly deciding on the basis of a statistical test that a signal is absent when it is in fact present. A false negative.
mitigateto make (something) less severe or harmful.
mollusksinvertebrates that possess a soft, unsegmented body and live in aquatic or damp habitats. Many have an external, calcareous shell (although some do not). Phylum Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the arthropods (Arthropoda), and includes gastropods (e.g. snails and slugs), cephalopods (e.g. octopuses), and(...)
moltto shed the outer covering, or shell, which is then replaced by a new shell that is produced by the organism
monostatic sonarwhen the sound source and receiver are located in the same place
mooringequipment (often consisting of anchors and chains) which holds an item (such as a boat or underwater instrument) stable and secure in one place
multibeam sonara sonar system that emits sound waves in a fan shape toward the sea floor and can measure the ocean depth over a wide swath.
multiyear icesea ice that has survived at least more than one melting season (i.e. one summer). Multiyear ice contains much less brine and more air pockets than first-year ice. Less brine means "stiffer" ice that is more difficult for icebreakers to navigate and clear.
Mysticetesthese large cetaceans are usually more than 9.1 m (30 ft) long and can be found throughout the ocean. Instead of teeth, mysticetes have a series of horny plates called baleen. The baleen is made from the same materials as human hair and fingernails. The baleen plates hang from the gums of the upper jaw and are used to filter small bits of(...)
narial passagesthe air spaces that connect the throat region with the openings of the nose, known as the nares. It is also sometimes referred to as the nasal passages.
narrowbandsounds made up of only a small range of frequencies
natalgrown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity (of, relating to, or present at birth).
near fieldthe sound field near a sound source array where complex constructive and destructive interference occurs among the wave fronts created by the individual sound sources
necropsiesthe examination and dissection of a body to determine the cause of death; autopsy
NeMO NetNew Millennium Observatory Network; a project, which records and transmits daily temperature and pressure readings from Axial Volcano
Neural impulsesan electrical and chemical signal sent along nerve fibers
neuromastssmall, sensory receptors of arranged hair cells located along the lateral line, which respond to motion between the fish and the surrounding water
non-vocal soundssounds made without the use of vocal folds or other body parts whose primary function is moving air for sound production. These sounds are typically made by slapping a body part on the water or land surface, or by forcefully clapping body parts together. Non-vocal sounds may be used to communicate acoustically.
normal linea line that is perpendicular (makes a 90 degree angle) to a surface
null decisioncorrectly deciding on the basis of a statistical test that a signal is absent when it is in fact absent.
null hypothesisthe hypothesis that there is not a real difference between the means of two data sets.
ocean acidificationa reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. When CO2 is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. These chemical(...)
ocean frontthe interface between two water masses of different physical characteristics
ocean observatorya networked array of sensor systems that measure the physical, chemical, geological and biological variables in the ocean and seafloor as well as the overlying atmosphere.
octave band soundsound over a range of frequencies where the frequency in Hertz of the upper end of the range is twice the frequency of the lower end.
octavo-lateralis systemcomprised of the lateral line and inner ear of fish; provides fish with balance, hearing, and the ability to feel vibrations from a distance
odontocetegroup of mammals that includes the toothed cetaceans. This includes some whales (such as sperm whales, orca or killer whales, and beaked whales) as well as all dolphins and porpoises.
offspringnext generation or baby of a certain species
omnivore
an organism that eats plants and animals.
omnivorousorganisms that eat both animals and plants
opportunistic feedinga type of foraging in which an animal feeds on a wide variety of prey and is able to adapt to whatever food becomes available.
oral cavitythe mouth, which forms the first chamber of the digestive system. It includes the space surrounded by the lips, teeth, hard and soft palates, cheeks, and tongue. The oral cavity ends at border of the pharynx, which is approximately the line just anterior to the tonsils.
organ of Cortithe sensory part of the inner ear that converts sound signals into nerve impulses. Located on the basilar membrane, it contains sensory cells that transform vibrations into neural code for sound processing by the brain. It contains many important cells including the inner and outer hair cells.
ossiclesthree tiny bones - the incus (anvil), malleus (hammer), and stapes (stirrup) - that lie in the middle ear. The ossicles conduct sound across the middle ear to the inner ear by forming a bridge between the eardrum and the oval window.
otariids or eared sealsfur seals and sea lions that have visible ear flaps. They have an elongated neck and long front flippers. Their hind flippers can be turned forward for walking on land.
otolithsmall bones in the inner ear which provide balance, and, in fish, aid in hearing
ototoxiccausing damage to the ear or its nerve supply.
outer earthe outermost part of the ear that is external to the ear drum or tympanic membrane. It directs sound waves down the air-filled ear canal onto the eardrum.
oval windowa membrane-covered opening between the middle ear and the inner ear. The oval window is connected to the third ear ossicle (stapes) and passes sound vibrations to the inner ear.
overpressureThe pressure in the shock wave from an explosion that exceeds the existing atmospheric or hydrostatic pressure in the medium through which the shock wave is propagating.
Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF)a U.S. Naval facility off the island of Kauai, Hawaii, that is the world's largest instrumented, multi-dimensional testing and training missile range. It is the only range in the world where submarines, surface ships, aircraft, and space vehicles can operate and be tracked simultaneously. There are over 1,100 square miles of instrumented(...)
pan bonethin bone in the back of the lower jaw that helps transmit sound to the middle ear
parallelbeing an equal distance apart everywhere, extending in the same direction, never meeting or intersecting
particle motionthe change in position of a particle with respect to time; in acoustics, particle motion is vibratory motion in which the particles move back and forth around an equilibrium point.
passive acoustic monitoring (PAM)observation method where an acoustic device is deployed in the ocean to capture sounds from the surrounding environment (the instrument does not produce any sounds). The sounds received by the instrument are identified and classified. PAM has become an important tool in observing cetaceans, especially deep-diving species.
passive acousticslistening to sound sources; sound is only received.
passive marginthe transition between oceanic and continental landmasses that is not a plate boundary and therefore experiences little to no volcanic or earthquake activity.
patchiness
degree of irregular, or uneven, appearance or quality.
peak pressurethe range in pressure between zero and the greatest pressure of the signal.
pectoral finsthe uppermost of the paired fins on a fish
pectoral flipperforelimbs of whales and dolphins that are used for stability and steering. These appendanges are generally flattened and paddle-like. Humpback whales have very large pectoral flippers, reaching 5 m (15 ft) in length.
pectoral free raysrays that are part of the fishes pectoral fins but are free from the actual fin skin. These rays aid in the movement of the fish.
peer-reviewedscientific papers that have been subjected to evaluation by highly qualified experts in the field, the reviewers are usually anonymous and check the papers for inconsistencies, invalid conclusions and editorial errors
peer reviewa process by which a scholarly work (such as a paper or a research proposal) is checked by a group of experts in the same field to make sure it meets the necessary standards before it is published or accepted
pelagicof, relating to, or living or occurring in the open ocean.
pelagic speciesorganisms that swim or drift in the water; these organisms are distinct from those living on or in the bottom sediments.
Periodthe time duration between any point on a wave and the same point on the next wave, e.g., from one wave crest to the next wave crest; the time for a particle to make one complete cycle at a given point
permanent threshold shift (PTS)a permanent increase in the threshold of hearing (minimum intensity needed to hear a sound) at a specific frequency above a previously established reference level
pHa figure expressing the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a logarithmic scale on which 7 is neutral, lower values are more acid, and higher values more alkaline (basic).
pharyngealteeth located in the gill or throat region
phasethe location of a point within a wave cycle of a repetitive waveform, measured as the fraction of a wavecycle and often expressed as an angle; one cycle is 360º or 2 π radians.
phocids or true sealsseals, such as harbor seals, that have no visible ear flap. They have a streamlined body with short front flippers. Their hind flippers are directed backward and they are not used for walking on land.
phona unit of loudness for pure tones that accounts for the perceived loudness of tones; the number of phon of a sound is the decibel of a sound at 1 kHz that is perceived to be just as loud.
photophoreslight producing organs that appear as bright spots on various marine animals, including fishes and cephalopods.
physiological stressa reaction to a change that requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response.
piezoelectric effectthe ability of some materials (notably crystals and certain ceramics) to generate electricity in response to applied mechanical stress
piezoelectric materiala material that produces electrical charges when subjected to pressure changes
plane wavea wave in which the wave fronts are a series of parallel planes.
planktivore
an aquatic organism that feeds on planktonic food, including zooplankton and phytoplankton.
planktonrelatively small organisms that drift or float passively in the water and are carried wherever currents and tides take them. Plankton are often microscopic and are an important food source for other aquatic organisms. There are two types of plankton- phytoplankton (plants and autotrophs) and zooplankton (animals).
plectrumpart of the spiny lobster that is found underneath the files. It is a soft piece of tissue that is found at the base of the antennae. The plecta is what the lobster pulls over the files to produce sound
poda social group of whales that are clustered together. Some toothed whales, such as orcas travel in large, sometimes stable pods. They may group together to hunt their prey and/or migrate.
polypssmall marine invertebrates that have hard, cup-like, limestone skeletons. Polyps live in large colonies where they take-in the calcium from the ocean and to build a hard shell around themselves. The skeletons grow one on top of one another and as a result a coral reef is able to grow.
populationthe entire collection of individuals or items from which samples are drawn.
porositya measure of the pore space in a material, often expressed as a percentage of total volume
potential energythe energy possessed by an object as a result of its position relative to other objects, stresses within itself, its electric charge, or other factors.
power
the rate at which work is done; the amount of energy transmitted over a given amount of time; or in statistics, the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in a statistical test when it is false.
ramp-upgradually increasing the sound source level
rarefactionthe instantaneous, local reduction in density of a gas or other medium resulting from passage of a sound wave.
Rayleigh wave
A Rayleigh wave is a surface wave causing retrograde elliptical particle motion at the surface. Rayleigh waves are one type of seismic wave produced by earthquakes. Found at an interface between a solid and a vacuum or a low-density gas medium such as the Earth’s atmosphere. Also called ground roll.
receiversomething that listens for or receives sound; it may or may not record the sound
receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curvea curve that plots the cumulative distribution functions of the false-alarm probability and the detection probability on the x-axis and y-axis, respectively, to select the optimal detection threshold.
recesshole, corner or niche. For example, a rock recess, a place surrounded by rocks where a fish can hide
rectified diffusionwhen acoustic energy causes supersaturated gas to be pumped into an existing small bubble, making the bubble increase in size
reference units
the value against which a relative amount is calculated. For example, a decibel is a relative unit (ratio of measured to reference), therefore a reference unit must be specified to understand the value
reflectionthe deflection of the path of a sound wave by an object or by the boundary between two media
reflectorany boundary between two media that causes the reflection of a wave
refractionthe bending of a sound wave towards a region of slower sound speed.
repertoiresuite of behaviors that an animal may use in different contexts; in this case, the number of call types that have been distinguished based on categorization of vocal behavior.
resistanceresistive force is a force whose direction is opposite to the velocity of the body, or of the sum of the other forces; may be referred to as "friction" or "drag".
resonancewhen sounds of specific frequencies cause air- or fluid-filled organs to vibrate with amplitudes that are large compared to the amplitude of incoming soundwaves
resonatorsomething that fills with sound and acts as a natural amplifier
rollthe rotation of a vessel about its longitudinal (front/back) axis.
rolla ship roll motion in a side-to-side tilting motion.
root-mean-square pressurethe square root of the average of the square of the pressure of the sound signal over a given duration. Root-mean-square is often abbreviated rms
rorqualswhales of the family Balaenopteridae which includes humpbacks, sei, minke, fin, blue and Bryde's whales. They have throat pleats or ventral grooves that expand when the whales gulp large amounts of water while feeding.
rostrumupper jaw of whales that is elongated and looks like a beak
salinitythe total amount of salt dissolved in seawater; the units most often used are parts per thousand (ppt) but practical salinity unit (psu) is now the accepted standard in oceanography. An average salinity value for seawater is 35 ppt (psu) or 35 parts of salt in 1000 parts of water.
salt domesa layer of salt in a domed structure that was formed beneath the Earth's surface by the movement of salt over long periods of time. Salt domes are often associated with oil and gas deposits.
sample sizethe number of individuals or items in a subset or sample of the population from which estimates of various statistical measures of the whole population are calculated.
sardinessmall, silvery, slender fish of the herring family that have one short dorsal fin and no scales on their heads
Sargassum or Gulfweeda type of brown algae (of the genus Sargassum) that have a branching thallus (body) with lateral outgrowths differentiated as leafy segments, air bladders, or spore-bearing structures
satellite altimetrysatellite radar altimeters measure the ocean surface height (sea level) by measuring the time it takes a radar pulse to make a round-trip from the satellite to the sea surface and back. Features on the sea floor such as mountains add extra pull to Earth's gravity field, drawing more water around them and bulging the sea surface outward. The(...)
saturate
when no more of something can be dissolved, or the degree or extent to which something is dissolved or absorbed compared with the maximum possible, usually expressed as a percentage
scattered/scatteringthe diffusion of the sonar signal in many directions through refraction, diffraction and reflection, primarily due to the material properties of the seafloor. Scattering is one of the causes of attenuation in sonar, resulting in signal weakening.
scatterer
an object that reflects sound energy, can be a particle in seawater or the sea surface or the seafloor
scatteringwhen the path of a sound wave is broken up by objects (volume scattering) or the sea floor or sea surface (boundary scattering)
Scholte wave
a surface wave causing elliptical motion at the interface. Found at an interface between a solid and an elastic medium such as the seafloor and water. Also called ground roll.
schoola large group of marine animals, for example fish, that swim together. The appearance of a large number of individuals may ward off potential predators.
Sciaenidaefamily of fishes that contains approximately 270 species distributed in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This family is commonly known as the drums, which are renowned for their sound producing ability.
scientific methodthe orderly process by which scientists ask questions about the natural world and test their observations
seismicrelates to an earthquake, earth vibration or volcano
seismic reflectiona technique for examining the layers of the seafloor that uses the sound energy that is reflected by different layers in the seafloor.
seismic refractiona technique for examining the layers of the seafloor that uses the sound energy that is refracted by different layers in the seafloor.
seismic wavea wave of energy caused by the sudden movement of rock, as in an earthquake, or by an explosion. Seismic waves travel trough the Earth and are recorded by a seismometer.
seismometeran instrument that records ground movement; used to detect and measure earthquakes
semi-terrestrialliving mostly on land but requiring water and/or a moist environment (esp. as a breeding site). Most amphibians (e.g. frogs) and many crustaceans (e.g. crabs) are semi-terrestrial.
sensory hair cellsbundles of hair like projections (cilia) located on the surface of the inner ear that become stimulated by movement of the otolith against them. Stimulation of the hair cells results in sending a signal to the brain which is interpreted as sound.
sequestration
the process of depositing carbon from the atmosphere in a pool , or reservoir. In terms of carbon sequestration, it presumes a reservoir that is not easily transferable to the atmosphere or only transfers over a long time period.
setaea stiff hair, bristle, or bristle like part on an organism.
sexual dimorphismdistinct difference in size or appearance between male and female sexes of an animal
shadow zonea region of low sound intensity that sound waves traveling away from a source in the ocean do not reach, usually because the sound waves are refracted away from that region
shock wavea fully developed compression wave of large amplitude, across which density, pressure, and particle velocity change drastically.
side scan sonarsonar is an acronym for sound navigation and ranging equipment. Sonar systems use sound waves to detect underwater objects by listening to the returning echoes. Side scan sonar uses the strength of the returning echo, not the travel time, to map the seafloor and identify objects on the seafloor.
signalsound that is used for a specific task, such as to convey information.
signal excessthe amount (in decibels) by which the signal- to-noise ratio (SNR) exceeds the detection threshold (DT).
signal-to-noise (SNR) ratiothe ratio that compares the received level of a sound signal and the background noise level. For example, it is easy to hear conversations in a quiet room, where the signal-to-noise ratio is high, but it is difficult to hear conversations at a noisy party, where the signal-to-noise ratio is low.
signature sounda unique sound that is associated with a specific sound source
signature whistletonal sounds produced by whales and dolphins that are unique to a particular individual and distinct from any other member of the group. Signature whistles provide a way to recognize individuals and help maintain group cohesion.
SOFAR channelSOFAR stands for SOund Fixing And Ranging. The sound speed minimum at 800-1000 meters of water depth is called the deep sound channel or, more historically, the SOFAR channel.
sonaran acronym for SOund Navigation And Ranging equipment. Sonar systems use sound waves to detect underwater objects by listening to the returning echoes. The distance to the object or the seafloor can be calculated by measuring the time between when the signal is sent out and when the reflected sound, or echo, is received.
sonic musclea muscle that is attached to the swim bladder. Rapid flexure of the sonic muscle against the swim bladder produces drum-like sounds commonly associated with courtship and spawning behavior.
sonic muscle - swim bladdera combined mechanism used by fishes to produce sound. The swim bladder is a gas filled organ primarily used for buoyancy control and is also important for hearing in some fishes. The sonic muscle is attached to the swim bladder. Rapid flexure of the sonic muscle against the swim bladder produces drum-like sounds commonly associated with(...)
sonobuoyinstrument that is dropped into the ocean (from either an aircraft or ship) to record underwater sounds. It includes a hydrophone and a radio transmitter to send sound signals back to the aircraft or ship. The U.S. Navy uses this instrument to listen for enemy submarines. Sonobuoys may also be used to record marine mammal calls and listen for(...)
sonogramgraphic presentation of a sound. A sonogram plots the frequency vs. time and represents the different intensity of the frequencies with different colors. It is similar to a contour map or bathymetric map where the different colors represent different water depths. Also called a spectrogram
sonoluminescencethe production of light as a result of the passing of sound waves through a liquid medium. The sound waves cause the formation of bubbles that emit bright flashes of light when they collapse.
sound channelan area of slow sound speed that causes sound waves to become focused at this water depth
sound channel axisdepth of the minimum sound speed within the sound channel. Sound waves cycle above and below the axis as they move through the sound channel.
sound fieldthe level of sound at different distances and depths from the source
sound intensity level10 times the logarithm of the ratio of the intensity of a sound wave to a reference intensity; also known as intensity.
sound level10 times the logarithm of the ratio of the mean-square pressure of a sound to the square of a reference sound pressure. Sound pressure level will usually be shortened to sound level on the DOSITS website. Sound pressure level is given in relative units named decibels (dB). Sound pressures for transient signals are sometimes given as peak or(...)
sound receptorsomething that receives sound; sound receiver
sound spreading lossthe decrease in intensity that occurs when a sound wave expands as it moves away from a source
Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS)a network of hydrophones mounted on the seafloors of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans maintained by the US Navy
source arraymultiple sound sources combined to operate together for a specific purpose
source levelthe amount of sound radiated by a sound source. It is defined as the intensity of the radiated sound at a distance of 1 meter from the source, where intensity is the amount of sound power transmitted through a unit area in a specified direction. Source level is given as a relative intensity in units named decibels (dB). In underwater sound,(...)
Southern California Offshore Range (SCORE)a state-of-the-art facility that provides training and testing services to the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. The underwater tracking range is located west of San Clemente Island, CA, and consists of 84 bottom-mounted hydrophones that provide a coverage area of approximately 660 square nautical miles. Similar to AUTEC, a Marine Mammal(...)
Sparkera sound source that uses an electric spark to generate a broadband signal.
spatial resolutionthe minimum difference or distance between two measured or computed values or objects that can be distinguished. It defines the limit of accuracy for a technique.
spatulatehaving a narrow base and a broad body (spade-shaped).
spawningto produce, release, or deposit eggs for reproduction
spectrograma graphic presentation of a sound. A spectrogram plots the frequency vs. time and represents the different intensity of the frequencies with different colors. It is similar to a contour map or bathymetric map where the different colors represent different water depths. Also called a sonogram
spectruma catalog of the amplitude of a signal as a function of frequency or pitch, with graphics showing low frequencies on the left of the x-axis and high frequencies on the right.
spermaceti organan elongated connective tissue sac in the forehead of the sperm whale that contains a waxy fluid called spermaceti
spherical spreadingenergy spreading out from a sound source in the shape of a sphere; the power is radiated equally in all directions from the sound source
spy-hoppinga common whale activity in which they lift their heads above the surface of the water and observe what is happening on the surface. Whales will often spin around in order to observe in all directions.
squidmollusks of the family Cephalopoda that are a favorite food of the sperm whale
standard deviationan estimate of the variability of a set of measurements about the mean value; it is calculated by computing the square root of the variance.
standard deviation of the meanan estimate of the variability of the mean value computed from a specific set of measurements; it is calculated by dividing the standard deviation of the measurements by the square root of the number of measurements; also often called the standard error of the mean.
startle responsea largely involuntary, defensive response to a sudden and/or threatening stimuli, such as a flash of light, a sudden movement, or loud noise. In fishes, this behavior is often displayed as a sudden bending of the body, and is a characteristic escape response.
static diffusionwhen particles move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
statistically significantfindings of an experiment or study that have a low probability of being due to chance alone
statisticsmathematical analysis that is used to explain and compare numerical data. This analysis helps make broader generalizations about a population from a smaller number of specific observations.
statocysta sac-like structure containing a mineralized mass (statolith) in association with numerous sensory cells.
stepsa break or irregular change in frequency of a whistle.
stereoshort for stereophonic: a sound-reproduction system that uses two or more separate channels to give a more natural distribution of sound.
stereocilialong, flexible hair-like structures that occur as a brush border on the surface of some membranes
stereociliary bundlesgroups of hair-like projections on the upper surface of a hair cell. When stereocila bend, they trigger a release of chemicals that initiates the electrical signal (neural impulse) that is carried to and processed by the brain.
stewardshipthe conducting, supervising, or managing of something, especially, the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
strandingan event where an aquatic animal, especially a marine mammal, lands on a beach or becomes stuck in shallow water, is dead or sometimes alive, and probably in distress.
stratificationseparation of water layers based on strong density differences
streamersa long (2000-6000 m) string of hydrophones typically used with air-gun arrays
stresswhen an optimal steady state is threatened by internal and/or external forces, and is counteracted by a physiological or biological response (to maintain/establish equilibrium).
stress responsethe natural coping mechanism that allows the body to deal with stressful events. A group of physiological and behavioral processes enable an animal to adapt to changes in their environment.
stressoranything that causes the body to respond by releasing stress hormones.
stridulationto produce a sound by rubbing two body parts together. Some fish make a shrill creaking noise by rubbing together bodily structures, especially skeletal parts.
sub-arcticrelating to the region immediately south of the Arctic Circle.
subduction zonesplaces where two tectonic plates move toward each other, and one plate plunges beneath the other plate. Often ocean crust is subducting beneath continental crust
surface wave
a sound wave (or seismic wave) that travels only at an interface boundary
Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS)a passive sonar system used to listen for noises produced by submarines. The system consists of a long string of underwater hydrophones that are towed behind a ship and pick up sounds in the ocean.
swim bladdera gas filled organ that is primarily used for buoyancy control but is also important for hearing in some fishes.
swim bladder (also called an air bladder)an expandable, gas-filled sac that helps fish maintain buoyancy in the water. This organ is also important for hearing in some species of fish.
symbiotichaving an interdependent relationship that benefits both parties involved.
synapsea junction between a nerve cell and another nerve cell or a nerve fiber or a sensory receptor
t-testa statistic that compares the sample means with the standard deviations of the sample means to determine whether the two sample means are statistically different.
tectonicrelating to the deformation of the earth's crust
tectorial membranea membrane that covers the surface of the organ of Corti in the cochlea of the inner ear
telemetrymeasuring and transmitting data from a remote location
temperaturea measure of the atomic and molecular vibration in a substance, in degrees. The response of a solid, liquid, or gas to the input or removal of heat energy.
temporary threshold shift (TTS)a temporary increase in the threshold of hearing (minimum intensity needed to hear a sound) at a specific frequency that returns to its pre-exposure level over time
terrestrialsomething that lives on land as opposed to in the water. Some animals, such as sea lions spend time both on land and in the water, they are considered to be both terrestrial and marine.
Terrigenousderived from land, referring to weathered rock grains and minerals
Tertiary waveseismic energy that has been converted into acoustic energy in the ocean. Also known as a T-wave"."""
Tertiary waveseismic energy that has been converted into acoustic energy in the ocean. Also a T-wave.
testthe outer skeleton of a sea urchin. It is made up of plates that encircle the sea urchin. Spines of the sea urchin grow from the test.
Thalassiaa broad-bladed seagrass occurring in shallow tropical and subtropical estuaries and nearshore marine waters
theorya hypothesis or group of hypotheses that have been consistently validated through scientific observations or experiments. Geology's theory of plate tectonics is an example of a well-documented and widely accepted theory.
thermoclinea layer of water in an ocean or certain lakes, that separates warmer surface water from colder deep water. Temperature rapidly changes with depth in this region of the water column.
threatenedany species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range (as defined in the U.S. Endangered Species Act).
threshold of hearingthe minimum intensity at which a sound of a specific frequency is reliably detected in absolute quiet conditions. The intensity level varies with frequency. Also called hearing thresholds.
threshold of painthe intensity level where sound is physically painful. Usually at 115-130 dB.
tonotopically organized
frequency-dependent resonance, in which the basilar membrane vibrates more near the base with high frequencies, while lower frequencies cause the membrane to vibrate most towards the apex.
towfishan instrument, such as a side scan sonar, that is towed behind a ship
tracheaa large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes and conveying air to and from the lungs; the windpipe.
transducerthe part of the sonar system that functions like an antenna, sending out sonar signals (sound waves) and receiving return echoes. The transducer converts electrical energy into sound waves and vice versa.
transmission lossthe decrease in acoustic intensity (due to spreading and/or attenuation) as an underwater sound wave propagates outwards from a source.
transmitteran instrument that sends out slectrical signals
transpondera device for receiving an acoustic signal and automatically transmitting a unique return signal in response. Transponders are often used to show the location of something.
transverse wavea disturbance in which the particles vibrate up-and-down and the energy moves left-and-right
triangulationmethod for determining the location of a target of interest. Three distances from three known points are measured, and from these distances, a unique point of intersection can determined (this calculation is usually performed by computers). The point of intersection indicates the target's location.
trilla fluttering sound that alternates rapidly with another note
trophic level
a particular step or position within a food chain, food web, or ecological pyramid where a group of organisms exist.
tropical cyclone
a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. These intense circular storms originate over warm tropical oceans.
tsunamia tsunami is a series of ocean waves generated by sudden displacements in the sea floor, landslides, or volcanic activity. In the deep ocean, the tsunami wave may only be a few inches high at the sea surface. When a tsunami wave comes ashore it will increase in height and can become a fast moving wall of water several meters high.
tuned airgun arraymultiple airguns of different, carefully selected volumes that are fired at the same time.
turbiditythe measure of relative clarity of a liquid. It is an optical characteristic of water and is a measurement of the amount of light that is scattered by material in the water when a light is shined through the water sample. Turbidity makes water cloudy or opaque. The higher the intensity of scattered light, the higher the turbidity. Material(...)
tympanic membrane or eardruma membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. The eardrum vibrates in response to sound waves and passes the vibrations on to the bones of the middle ear.
Type I Erroran error when one concludes that there is a real difference between two means when, in fact, there is not; also called a false positive error.
Type II Erroran error when one concludes that there is not a real difference between two means when, in fact, there is a difference; also called a false negative error.
ultrasonicsound waves that have a frequency that is higher than what humans can hear (i.e. greater than 20,000 Hz). Bats and dolphins use these high frequency sounds for communication and navigation.
ultrasound signalsound vibrations that have frequencies above the range of human hearing
underwater dBthe relative unit used to specify the intensity of an underwater sound. The phrase underwater dB is used on DOSITS to indicate decibels computed using root-mean-square (rms) pressure unless otherwise indicated. Underwater dB are referenced to a pressure of 1 microPascal (µPa), which is abbreviated as dB re 1 µPa. To be able to compare(...)
underwater soundscape
characterization of the ambient sound in terms of its spatial, temporal, and frequency attributes, and the types of sources contributing to the sound field (ISO Technical Committee on Acoustics, Underwater Acoustics Subcommittee, ISO 18405:2017). Underwater soundscape is sometimes used synonymously with acoustic environment (or ambient(...)
upsweepa signal that increases in frequency over time.
utriclethe larger of the two fluid-filled cavities forming part of the inner ear (the other being the sacculus).
vacuuma space from which all gas and other matter has been removed
variancean estimate of the variability of a set of measurements about the mean value; it is calculated by subtracting the mean from each of the measurements, squaring the differences, adding all of the squared differences together, and dividing by one less than the total number of measurements; the square root of the variance is the standard deviation.
vectora quantity, such as a velocity or force, that has both magnitude and direction.
velocitythe linear speed of an object in a specified direction.
ventralof, pertaining to, or situated at the back or upper side.
vertebratehaving vertebrae or having a backbone or spinal column. Fish and humans are examples of vertebrates.
vertical migrationa pattern of movement that some marine organisms undertake each day. Usually organisms move to shallow waters at night and return to deeper waters during the day.
vestibular systema fluid-filled maze of canals and chambers inside the inner ear that helps maintain orientation and balance.
vital ratesfactors that determine the abundance or density of a population, including birth rate, death rate, emigration, age structure, and sex ratios. These factors influence population dynamics and allow scientists and managers to track population demographics through time.
vocal cordssmall bands of tissue within the larynx that vibrate (when air passes over them) to produce the sound.
vocal fold ligamentconnective tissue that strengthens the vocal folds via stiffness and support
vocal learningthe modification of an animal’s vocalization(s) based on acoustic signals in its environment, such as vocalizations by conspecifics.
vocalizationsounds intentionally produced by animals that may be used for communication, navigation, and feeding. In humans, air is moved from the lungs and across the vocal folds (also known as vocal cords). The vibration of the vocal folds produce sounds that are formed into words and other vocal communication signals. We do not know how sound is(...)
wavedisturbance caused by the movement of energy through a medium
wave fronta surface consisting of all points on a wave at the same position in a wave cycle.
waveforma waveform presents the sound in a graph as positive and negative pressure on a relative scale (often from -1 to 1) through time. The relative pressure is related to the intensity of the sound.
waveguidea structure that guides waves by restricting the wave movement in one or more dimensions resulting in efficient transmission of the wave. For example, the SOFAR channel is a waveguide in the ocean.
wavelengththe length of one cycle of a wave (one crest and one trough)
Weberian ossiclesa series of bones which connect the swim bladder to the inner ear and carry vibrations between to the two, aiding in hearing.
whistlesnarrow-band, tonal sounds produced by many toothed whales for communication purposes. Whistles are frequency-modulated, which means the pitch of the sound changes over time.