MEPS prepress abstract - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14830
Molecular evidence of shipping noise impact on the blue mussel, a key species for the sustainability of coastal marine environments
Delphine Veillard, Stéphane Beauclercq, Nathan Ghafari, Alexandre A. Arnold, Bertrand Genard, Lekha Sleno, Frédéric Olivier, Anne Choquet, Dror E. Warschawski, Isabelle Marcotte, Réjean Tremblay*
ABSTRACT: The global anthropogenic oceanic noise due to shipping is predicted to double every 11.5 years, putting marine organisms at risk. While the impact of noise on marine mammals is well documented, its effect on molluscs, which hold immense economic and ecological importance, remain largely unknown. To investigate the consequences of noise on mollusc metabolism during crucial early life stages, blue mussel larvae were exposed to shipping noise in a laboratory setting until the post-larval stage and their metabolome was analysed. Multivariate analyses of the metabolome showed that shipping noise induces stress-related inflammation with increased energy demand, higher protein turnover, and disrupted nervous system activity. Consequently, noise promoted a delayed metamorphosis in suboptimal habitats with greater metabolic costs, which may impact ecosystem and aquaculture sustainability as competent mussel larvae struggle to select suitable development habitats. Without action to limit underwater noise, such impacts could disrupt population structures and marine biodiversity.