A permanent soundscape monitoring system for the care of animals in aquaria

Abstract

Sound pressure levels in facilities that house acoustically sensitive animals should be monitored on a regular basis as a standard component of animal care. Monitoring of noise levels in the pools housing Lagenorhynchus obliquidens (Pacific white-sided dolphins) at the Vancouver Aquarium during regular operations revealed average sound pressure levels (SPLs) across all frequency bins of 91. 9 (range 87. 0–104. 5) dB re 1 μPa Root Mean Square (RMS). Sustained pressure levels were highest during cleaning, where ambient noise levels increased approximately 25 dB re 1 μPa RMS.