Researchers studied the responses of the biggest living animals on the planet to stimulated mid-frequency military sonar (声呐), which is used by military to detect submarines.
By studying 17 blue whales, which feed on large groups of krill (磷虾) in the ocean, the scientists found the giant sea animals would cut short dives for food after a sonar “ping”. The animals also tried to avoid areas where the sonar had been used for some time afterwards.
They found that the whales stopped feeding for more than an hour after the sonar, resulting in a loss of around 1,000kg of krill for the animals.
The researchers say their findings disagree with the idea that military sonar has no influence on blue whales and other related species of whale.
A second study by the same researchers also showed that military sonar caused another species of whale, the Cuvier’s beaked whale, to stop feeding and swim away from the sound.
Dr Brandon Southhall, from the Long Marine Laboratory at the University of California who led the project, said, “These findings help us to understand risks to these animals from human sound and inform timely protection and management decisions.”
The scientists argue that the influence of “active” military sonar on blue whales must be considered in environmental assessments before military tests.
They said they hoped the US Navy, which funded the work, would use the findings to search for ways of reducing the influence of sonar on whale species.
Dr Stacy DeRuiter, from the University of St Andrews, who also took part in the studies, said, “While military tests have been said to be linked to whale strandings (搁浅), we don’t really understand the chain of events that lead to that. The number of strandings also does not match the number of military tests and sonar events, so the Navy wants to understand this more.”
12.
What did the new studies find about whales?A.They were forced to leave their habitats. |
B.They were starving because of military sonar. |
C.They would stop feeding for some time because of military sonar. |
D.They would find new feeding areas once hearing sonar. |
13.
What is the researchers’ attitude towards the influence of military sonar on whales?A.Worried. | B.Helpless. |
C.Shocked. | D.Puzzled. |
14.
According to Dr Stacy DeRuiter, _____.A.military tests in the sea should be stopped |
B.military sonar leads to the death of many whales |
C.the US Navy should take action to protect whales |
D.further study should be done to find out why whales were stranded |
15.
Where does the text probably come from?A.A book review. | B.A science fiction. |
C.A science report. | D.An official document. |