Most marine species in the Arctic depend on sound to survive. Sound is so important to them because their vision is limited in the darkness of the deep sea. Sound that is anywhere from a few feet to a few thousand miles away helps them find food and mates, communicate with each other and avoid danger.
That’s why unnatural noises in the sea are a serious threat to marine species. The noises associated with oil and gas exploration and drilling are particularly harmful to wildlife in the Arctic Ocean – polar bears, endangered whales, walruses, seals, sea birds and other species. One of the main culprits is seismic air gun surveys. A seismic air gun is a mechanism that creates an explosive impulse down through the water and into the seafloor to help search for oil deposits. The noise can lead to permanent hearing loss and even death.
Read more: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/arctic/threats.html?intcmp=HPPolaroid-DrillingForOil
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