Deep water soundscape contributions on the Bermuda Rise

Challenger Bank, located on the Bermuda Rise, is a unique geological formation that serves as a transitional zone between deep and shallow marine habitats. These regions are often biodiversity hotspots, influenced by a complex interplay of biological, geological, and physical processes. Passive acoustic monitoring has emerged as a non-invasive tool for studying such environments, providing long-term, continuous data on underwater soundscapes that reflect ecological dynamics and anthropogenic impacts. In this study, we present an initial characterization of the acoustic environment at Challenger Bank based on 8 months of continuous recordings (November 2024–June 2025) from a single moored hydrophone, recording for 1 min every 10 min. Our analysis identifies key temporal and spectral patterns associated with biotic sources—including humpback whale migration, fish, and invertebrate vocalizations—as well as abiotic and anthropogenic contributions. These results are consistent with previous observations in the region and contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological significance of sound in this understudied transition zone. This work underscores the importance of acoustic monitoring for marine conservation and management in oceanic island systems.