![]() ![]() By using ultrafast 2D-IR vibrational echo chemical-exchange spectroscopy, conformational switching between two well defined substates of a myoglobin mutant is observed on the approximately 50-ps time scale. Each substate reflects a local minimum on the free-energy landscape with a distinct structure. Ishikawa, Haruto Kwak, Kyungwon Chung, Jean K Kim, Seongheun Fayer, Michael Dįolded proteins can exist in multiple conformational substates. This article was originally published in German.Direct observation of fast protein conformational switching. Instead of searching for new oil and gas deposits, it would be better to promote the energy revolution, says the marine biologist. Weigart says the attempt to create sustainable methods of fossil fuel exploration are absurd. Marine vibroseis, unlike airguns, can also detect oil and gas in shallow waters. But investors, including ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies or Shell, may be targeting another advantage. With the new method, it is estimated that only 10% of marine life would be affected in any way compared. Whereas on land, you could put an egg under a vibroseis device and it wouldn't break," Weilgart continued. "An airgun is so powerful, it could rip your arm off. It creates a kind of constant hum instead of a big bang. One technique, so-called "marine vibroseis," uses a device to generate sound waves using vibration rather than an explosion. But instead of stopping fossil fuel exploration and production, the oil and gas industry is working on quieter exploration technologies. With each explosion, a large proportion of the larvae of the smallest marine animals die immediately within a radius of 1 kilometer (0.6 miles).Īirguns are far too loud for their intended use, says Lindy Weilgart. Seismic blasting is dangerous for marine wildlife This produces noise as loud as the launch of a rocket. Air guns are towed behind ships and fire compressed air every 10 seconds for days, weeks or months. So-called "seismic airguns" are used in the search for oil and gas in the seabed, the reflected sound waves providing information about the geological profile. The seas would also suddenly become much quieter. If the search for new sources of oil and gas were to be stopped, we would not only come much closer to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Ending oil and gas exploration would make the sea quieter The cost of using bubble curtains during the turbine construction phase amounts to just 1% of the total investment for an offshore wind farm. Environmental protection is very affordable in this instance. And interest is also growing in the US, the Netherlands and Taiwan. However, due to stricter regulations, the curtains are now almost standard for offshore installations in the German North Sea. In the North Sea, it was sometimes so loud that porpoises suffered hearing damage and were scared away from their feeding and breeding grounds. Normally, construction site noise can be heard miles away underwater. Fewer sound waves can pass through this curtain of bubbles, with noise reduced by up to 90%. When installed, the tubes sit around the turbine pylons and allow air bubbles to rise to the surface and form an insulating veil. "This generates noise underwater that is more or less comparable to an airplane taking off on land," said Michael Bellmann of the Institute of Technical and Applied Physics (ITAP).īubble curtains, whereby compressed air flows through tubes on the seafloor, can help reduce this noise. Offshore windparks generate a huge amount of noise - how can we mitigate noise pollution? Some sea creatures are being exposed to noise levels that could deafen or even kill them. It's disastrous for a wide range of marine life. Global waters are noisier today than ever before. Disturbing the peaceīut in reality, oceans are being infiltrated by alien sounds that have intruded an ancient underwater symphony. The ocean sounds inform them if the reef is healthy enough to provide for their offspring. Small shrimp advertise their services to reef fish by flapping their fins.Īnd some coral fish listen carefully when choosing the right reef. Sound is essential for the survival of almost all sea creatures.Ĭlownfish, which you might know from the animation film "Finding Nemo," set in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, make it clear who is boss by clacking with their jaws. Here animals use sound to communicate, navigate, find mates or prey. From the magical song of whales to the clicking of dolphins and chattering of crustaceans, the sea hosts a symphony of sounds. What may look like a calm and still ocean from shore is anything but. ![]()
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