Pile driving and drilling underwater sounds impact the metamorphosis dynamics of Pecten maximus (L., 1758) larvae

One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is to reduce carbon emissions and offshore wind turbines seem to be an efficient solution. However, during the installation phase, high levels of noise are emitted whose impacts remain not well known, particularly on benthic marine invertebrates displaying a bentho-planktonic life-cycle. For one century, larval settlement and subsequent recruitment has been considered as a key topic in ecology as it determines largely population renewal. Whereas several recent studies have shown that trophic pelagic but also natural soundscape cues could trigger bivalve settlement, the role of anthropogenic noise remains poorly documented. Therefore, we conducted experiments to assess potential interacting effects of diet and pile driving or drilling sounds on the great scallop (Pecten maximus) larval settlement. We demonstrate here that pile driving noise stimulates both growth and metamorphosis as well as it increases the total lipid content of competent larvae. Conversely, drilling noise reduces both survival and metamorphosis rates. For the first time, we provide evidence of noise impacts associated to MREs installation on P. maximus larvae and discuss about potential consequences on their recruitment.

Automated summary

One of the biggest challenges in the 21st century is to reduce carbon emissions, and offshore wind turbines appear to be an efficient solution. However, the high levels of noise emitted during the installation phase may have unknown impacts on benthic marine invertebrates. This study investigates the effects of diet and pile driving or drilling sounds on the settlement of P. maximus larvae.