AQUANIMF aims to advance understanding of how marine wildlife responds to combined underwater noise by improving knowledge of both acoustic energy in the water column and its biological effects. Marine soundscapes arise from anthropogenic sources—such as shipping and offshore activities—and natural processes including wind, waves, and seismic events, all of which can influence ecosystem functioning.
The project focuses on the impact of noise on zooplankton and swim-bladdered fish, including changes in migratory patterns and behaviour (e.g., communication, foraging, and avoidance responses), with potential cascading effects on marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Using passive acoustic monitoring, AQUANIMF detects biological presence and assesses responses to noise at two research infrastructures: the W1M3A EMSO observatory (North-Western Mediterranean) and the PLOCAN observatory (Atlantic Ocean).
Two experimental campaigns are planned. At W1M3A, hydrophones and FPODs will characterize seasonal soundscape variability and noise–wind relationships within the Pelagos Sanctuary, analysing anthrophony, geophony, and biophony. At PLOCAN, hydrophones, FPODs, and an acoustic zooplankton profiler will investigate ambient sound properties and enable passive detection of marine organisms.
AQUANIMF combines innovative acoustic techniques with multi-site observations to improve understanding of sound-driven ecological processes and support mitigation of underwater noise impacts.