A new study shows for the first time that the same cables used for internet and cable TV can be used to tune in to marine life.
The article "Eavesdropping at the Speed of Light" was published in July. It describes how whales are tracked using optical fiber.
The sound travels five times faster in the ocean than it does in the air. "Because whales are very vocal, acoustic monitoring is a very effective way to assess where they are located and where they are going."
It could have a big impact if the information is put into the hands of the decision makers. More than half of the great whale species are considered to be in danger. Warming oceans and increasing human maritime activities are challenges they face.
During her time at the Norwegian University for Science and Technology, she completed the study with others. The quality assessment of the audio signals received and the use of artificial intelligence software to sift through the massive DAS acoustic output are two main areas that will be advanced by the team.
Traditional acoustic whale monitoring involves the use of hydrophones to detect sound waves. Because of the high costs associated with the operation, the acoustic data is sparse and the ocean is not uniformly sampled.
Scientists can better monitor whales in real time with the use of fiber optics, as they have access to many more sensors.
The technology behind DAS is different than the one used to monitor sound waves with an underwater microphone. There are changes in the timing of light pulse that are caused by defects in the cable. That signal can be converted into sound by us. We call them virtual hydrophones because of that.
The dark fiber that is typically included with telecommunications cable bundles is used to monitor. The dark fibers can be tapped without disrupting the existing data streams.
"My hope is to further develop this technology and make it available for all those involved in marine preservation." The future could be brighter for whales.
More information: Léa Bouffaut et al, Eavesdropping at the Speed of Light: Distributed Acoustic Sensing of Baleen Whales in the Arctic, Frontiers in Marine Science (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.901348 Journal information: Frontiers in Marine Science
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