The African penguin is expected to go extinct in the wild in just over a decade, given its current population decline. The main reason is a lack of food caused by disturbance to ocean conditions from global heating and competition from the commercial fishing industry. According to a study, scientists have identified a possible additional cause, one that is an entirely new threat and that further prevents the penguins from finding food: noise pollution from marine (海洋的) ships in a bay.

Since 2016, a new shipping practice has started at Algoa Bay. The bay offers ship-to-ship refueling (加油) for ships anchored onshore. Since the start of this practice, marine traffic in the bay has doubled. The number of bulk carriers (散装货船) pulling into the bay has increased tenfold. Thus, the noise levels in the area had doubled and the population of penguins has dropped sharply. High noise levels affect the ability of marine animals to find food, communicate or navigate properly.

Researchers used data from ship identification tools to estimate underwater noise from passing ships. They also attached underwater microphones and accelerometers (加速计) to some of the penguins. Recording the noise will tell researchers what the penguins are hearing, if they’re talking while hunting, if they’re changing their movements in response to noise, and if the noise is drowning out their hunting conversations. This will allow researchers to determine whether the sound disturbance is a direct cause of the penguins’ ongoing difficulties in finding sufficient food.

The study is the first to explore the effects of ocean traffic noise pollution on seabirds and the consequences of offshore shipping activities on underwater noise levels. Experts are considering proposing various global best-practice approaches to reduce some of the impacts of noise pollution, such as policies that limit the number and size of ships allowed into a bay of this kind. “We also need more scientific monitoring of noise, before these measures are put in place and afterward, so that we have a proper understanding of what works,” a researcher said.

【小题1】What is the cause of the high-level noise at Algoa Bay?

A．The busy ship-to-ship refueling activities.

B．The frequent large-scale fishing practices.

C．The increasing number of offshore power plants.

D．The construction of natural reserves for marine animals.

【小题2】Why did scientists record the noise?

A．To study the way of relieving marine traffic pressure.

B．To determine and analyze the source of ocean noise pollution.

C．To calculate underwater noise levels caused by different ships.

D．To explore the impact of ocean noise on penguins’ hunting behavior.

【小题3】What could be a solution to noise pollution according to experts?

A．Collecting a transport taxon passing ships.

B．Banning unapproved offshore shipping activities.

C．Restricting the number and size of ships in the bay.

D．Establishing a long-term monitoring system for underwater noise.

【小题4】What is the main idea of the text?

A．Global warming makes it harder for animals to find food.

B．High-level noise poses a threat to both humans and animals.

C．Noise from marine ships causes African penguins to go extinct.

D．Shipping activities reduce the species of sea animals in Algoa Bay.