Abstract
Arising from: Jepson, P. D. et al. Nature 425, 575–576 (2003); Jepson replies We do not yet know why whales occasionally strand after sonar has been deployed nearby, but such information is important for both naval undersea activities and the protection of marine mammals. Jepson et al. suggest that a peculiar gas-forming disease afflicting some stranded cetaceans could be a type of decompression sickness (DCS) resulting from exposure to mid-range sonar1. However, neither decompression theory nor observation support the existence of a naturally occurring DCS in whales that is characterized by encapsulated, gas-filled cavities in the liver. Although gas-bubble formation may be aggravated by acoustic energy, more rigorous investigation is needed before sonar can be firmly linked to bubble formation in whales.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Jepson, P. D. et al. Nature 425, 575–576 (2003).
Williams, T. M. et al. Science 288, 133–136 (2000).
Houser, D. S., Howard, R. & Ridgway, S. J. Theor. Biol. 213, 183–195 (2001).
Falke, K. J. et al. Science 229, 556–558 (1985).
Kooyman, G. L. & Ponganis, P. J. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 60, 19–32 (1998).
Francis, T. J. R. & Mitchell, S. J. in Bennett and Elliott's Physiology and Medicine of Diving (eds Brubakk, A. O. & Neuman, T. S.) 5th edn 530–556 (Saunders, Philadelphia, 2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Piantadosi, C., Thalmann, E. Whales, sonar and decompression sickness. Nature 428, 1–2 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02527a
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02527a
This article is cited by
-
Budd-Chiari-like pathology in dolphins
Scientific Reports (2022)
-
Analysis of risk factors associated with gas embolism and evaluation of predictors of mortality in 482 loggerhead sea turtles
Scientific Reports (2021)
-
The possible effects of anthropogenic acoustic pollution on marine mammals’ reproduction: an emerging threat to animal extinction
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2018)
-
Deadly acute Decompression Sickness in Risso’s dolphins
Scientific Reports (2017)
-
Methodology for in situ gas sampling, transport and laboratory analysis of gases from stranded cetaceans
Scientific Reports (2011)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.