Effects of climate change and anthropogenic ocean acidification on underwater acoustic communications

Abstract

Global climate change is a widely accepted phenomenon and it is well understood that it is also leading to changes in the oceanic conditions. Increased industrial activities have also led to anthropogenic ocean acidification, the effects of which, on marine ecosystems, is a vigorously investigated topic. However, the impact of these phenomenon on underwater acoustic communication has not been investigated thoroughly. Fluctuations in ambient ocean conditions, such as salinity, acidity and temperature can lead to changes in the underwater acoustic channel performance. Since both marine mammals and man-made underwater wireless networks depend upon acoustic communications it is important to understand the effects in this context as well. An insight into the effects of climate change and anthropogenic ocean acidification could aid in designing better communication systems and also help explain some observed changes in marine mammal communication behavior. In this paper we present the results of a study conducted to better understand the effects of global climate change. Along with a brief presentation of the mathematical model, results of increasing temperature and acidity are discussed and effects on digital and marine mammal communication are both explored.