Bio-duck

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Not to be confused with Geoduck.

Bio-duck is a quacking-like sound which was first reported in the open ocean by submarines in the 1960s.[1] It is recorded frequently around the coasts of Australia, and in particular in the Perth Canyon.[2]

The sounds were originally detected by sonar operators on Oberon-class submarine. They are audible with frequencies from 50 to 300 Hz. The duration of the calls is between 1.6 and 3.1 seconds.[3] The sounds occur many times per day from winter to October, and then taper off until December; they are not heard again until the next summer.[4]

In 2014, it was claimed[by whom?] that the source of the sound had been identified as being vocalisations from the Antarctic minke whale. Although the reason for the vocalisations remains a mystery, they appear to be produced near the surface before deep-feeding dives. There are hopes that analysing the history, location, and frequency of the sounds will enable cetacean researchers to learn more about the life cycle of the minke.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Morelle, Rebecca (23 April 2014). "Mystery of 'ocean quack sound' solved". BBC News. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  2. ^ Marrin, West (2004). "Infrasonic Signals in the Environment" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  3. ^ Matthews, David; Rod Macleod; Robert D. McCauley (3 November 2004). "Bio-Duck Activity in the Perth Canyon. An Automatic Detection Algorithm" (PDF). Proceedings of ACOUSTICS 2004. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  4. ^ McCauley, Rob; John Bannister; Chris Burton; Curt Jenner; Susan Rennie; Chandra Salgado Kent (October 2004). "WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXERCISE AREA BLUE WHALE PROJECT FINAL SUMMARY REPORT MILESTONE 6" (PDF). Retrieved 28 October 2013.
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