Arctic Ocean Grows Louder as Ice Melts, Threatening Wildlife

A peer-reviewed study in npj Acoustics finds that melting sea ice and expanding human activity are making the Arctic ocean noisier, with sound propagating farther in cold waters and potentially masking marine mammals' communication; sources include shipping, icebreakers, seismic surveys, and offshore drilling. The authors urge targeted management to limit disruptive noises during sensitive periods, while acknowledging that not all noise is harmful and that indigenous livelihoods can be affected by acoustic changes.