BERHAMPUR: Hydrophones, the instruments used to detect submarines, were used for the first time to collect data on the behaviour and movement of dolphins dwelling in Chilika Lake.

In the first phase, data collection work was taken up from January 28 to February 3.

Divisional Forest officer (DFO) of Chilika division Abhimanyu Behera told The Hindu that the entire lake would be covered through this device by the year-end.

Initially, data on dolphins has been collected from the outer channel of the lake. This project is undertaken with the help of experts from University of Japan, Tokyo. A team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, is helping out. Wild Life experts of the State and the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) are taking active part in the project.

How they work

Hydrophones are electronic receivers for detecting or monitoring sound travelling through water by converting acoustic energy into electromagnetic waves. It is used to track submarines in sea and to track underwater animals.

Underwater hydrophone was placed at Magarmukh. Data collected by this hydrophone was transmitted through microwave to its land station at CDA visitors' centre at Satapada. Data on number, behavioural pattern and movement of dolphins in the lake was recorded.

Unique data

Mr.Behera said hydrophones would bring out undiscovered data about Chlika dolphins as they communicate with one another using a complex set of whistles, screeches and clicks. These sounds are produced in the upper nasal passages just beneath the blowhole. Each individual has a unique signature whistle. The loudness of the whistling may describe the emotional state of the dolphin.

As dolphins rely on sound to communicate and find food, the data of hydrophones was an extreme necessity to study the dolphins properly. The hydrophones being used in the lake now were brought by the Japanese team. At present, there are two hydrophones to make the study on dolphins in this lake. Mr. Behera said three more hydrophones would be brought to increase the scope of the study.

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