Molecular evidence of shipping noise impact on the blue mussel, a key species for the sustainability of coastal marine environments

Anthropogenic oceanic noise due to shipping has increased up to 32-fold over the last five decades, putting marine organisms at risk. While the impact of noise on marine mammals is well documented, its effect on molluscs, which hold immense economic and ecological importance, remain largely unknown. To investigate the consequences of noise on mollusc metabolism during crucial early life stages, mussel larvae were exposed to shipping noise in a laboratory setting until the post-larval stage and their metabolome analysed. Multivariate analyses of the metabolomes showed that shipping noise induces stress-related inflammation with increased energy demands, higher protein turnover and disrupted nervous system activity. Consequently, noise promoted a delayed metamorphosis in suboptimal habitats with greater metabolic costs, which may impact ecosystem and aquaculture sustainability as competent mussel larvae struggle to select suitable development habitats. Without action to limit underwater noise, such impacts could disrupt population structures and marine biodiversity.