Pulsed sounds caused by internal oxygen transport during photosynthesis in the seagrass Halophila ovalis

Abstract

Oxygen bubbles that leak from seagrass blades during photosynthesis have been hypothesized to cause cavitation sounds in aquatic plants. Here we investigate low-amplitude sounds with regular pulse rates produced during photosynthesis in seagrass beds of Halophila ovalis (Qitou Bay, Penghu islands and Cigu Lagoon, Taiwan). Sound pulses appear in the morning when illumination exceeds 10,000 Lux, peak at midday and decrease in midafternoon on a sunny day. Frequencies peak between 1 to 4 kHz, durations range between ca. 1.8 to 4.8 ms, and sound pressure level 1 cm from the bed is 80.3{+/-}2.0 dB re 1Pa (1-3 kHz band, 11:00 on a cloudy day). Sounds attenuate rapidly, disappearing beyond 15 cm. Blocking sunlight or administering herbicide stops ongoing sounds. Gas bubbles are not typically seen during sound production ruling out cavitation, and external force (finger pressing or scissor cutting) applied to the substrate of seagrass patch or leaves, petioles, or rhizomes generally increases pulse rate. We suggest sound emission is caused by internal oxygen transport through pores in diaphragms (a whistle mechanism) at the leaf base and nodes of the rhizome.