Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise (AquaPLAN)

Leading investigations into the impacts of light and noise on biodiversity

Project title: Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: management of impacts on biodiversity (AquaPLAN)

Funded by: EU Horizon Europe Programme and UKRI

Funding amount: €2.6 million

Dates: January 2024 – December 2027

Lead partner: University of Pisa

Project PI: Professor Elena Maggi, University of Pisa

University of Plymouth Co-I:

Dr Thomas Davies

Project partners: University of Plymouth, Universita di Pisa, Bar-Ilan University, Havforskningsinstituttet, Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Erinn Innovation Limited, Forschungsverbund Berlin, Universitetet I Tromsoe – Norges Arktiske Universitet, Universiteit Leiden, Plymouth Marine Laboratory Limited, The Secretary Of State For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (Cefas), The University Of Adelaide

Recent decades have seen dramatic increases in our understanding of light and noise pollution (LNP) impacts on aquatic biodiversity. These impacts are globally widespread and occurring in all aquatic ecosystems from lakes and rivers to the seafloor.

Various technologies and policy interventions are available to mitigate these impacts, although pathways to achieving effective implementation remain unclear and knowledge gaps also exist in terms of large spatial scales and long-time frames. If these gaps were addressed, it would significantly improve our understanding of the prevalence and impacts of LNP, and our ability to manage them.

The AquaPLAN project, an interdisciplinary pan-European consortium of world leaders in the fields of aquatic light and/or noise pollution, aims to

Quantify the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity across European seas, lakes and rivers.
Develop and facilitate the implementation of strategies for managing these pollutants through novel interdisciplinary approaches.

Currently, existing regulations on the emission of artificial light at night (ALAN) and anthropogenic noise are highly fragmented in inland, coastal and offshore waters. Moreover, we still need good datasets to understand how to monitor, protect and restore aquatic biodiversity effectively.

By engaging with stakeholder experts in aquatic biodiversity, LNP and the maritime industry throughout the project, AquaPLAN will provide sound recommendations on efficient LNP mitigation options as well as on how to face potential barriers to their applications.

Professor Elena Maggi
AquaPLAN PI, University of Pisa

Objectives

Provide a comprehensive review of the state of the art on the impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity
Assess perceptions of LNP impacts and the need for their management across key stakeholder groups
Quantify the combined impacts of LNP on the conservation status of biodiversity in aquatic habitats
Identify the mechanisms leading to individual and combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity
Explore innovative interdisciplinary solutions to prevent and mitigate LNP impacts on aquatic biodiversity
Build an international, interdisciplinary network to assess, prevent and mitigate the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity.

Wild brook trout fish swimming in silty water beneath lights from above the surface

The University is leading the investigation into the impacts of light and noise on biodiversity

We are participating in a Europe-wide field experiment investigating patterns of biodiversity with light and noise in aquatic habitats and quantifying the role of light and noise in shaping large-scale patterns of biodiversity using long-term time series datasets.

We are also a major contributor to the work quantifying the sensitivity of species that live on the seafloor to artificial light, and designing criteria for Good Environmental Status of Artificial Light at Night under Marine Strategy Framework Directive Descriptor 11.

Our deliverables:

Harmonise protocols for monitoring LNP impact in aquatic ecosystems.

Report on the methodology for defining the criteria GES to include tabulated LOBE values for pelagic and benthic invertebrates in EU waters, and threshold GES values.

Map impacts of ALAN and noise pollution on key marine species known to be sensitive to either pollutant.

Report on recommendations for LNP mitigation options (including their applicability, technical efficacy, and technology readiness level).

Report on the impacts of ALAN and noise pollution on marine animal biogeography in European seas.

After a decade of intensive research around the world, the extent and ecological impacts of marine light pollution are now well established. The AquaPLAN projects goes further by improving our understanding of how light pollution interacts with other man-made stressors in marine ecosystems – such as noise pollution – to shape marine biodiversity across nations and seas. It also will provide information critical to the design of future management interventions that reduce artificial light impacts on marine ecosystems.

Dr Thomas Davies
Associate Professor of Marine Conservation

Global Ocean Artificial Light at Night Network (GOALANN)

GOALANN is an international network of the world’s leading experts in marine light pollution whose mission is to conserve the oceans by improving knowledge and awareness of marine light pollution, its ecological and societal impacts, and management options.

The initiative unifies research groups from around the world to provide a central resource of marine light pollution expertise, projects and tools for policy makers, environmental managers, maritime industries, the media and the public.

Find out more on the GOALANN website

Underwater view of light on water surface

Leading research and education in marine sciences

Gannet feeding.

Image courtesy of Getty images.

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Man fishing in small boat above coral reef.

Marine Conservation Research Group

Marine Institute