Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into an environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the physical systems or living organisms. Noise pollution (or environmental noise) is displeasing human- or machine-created sound that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life. A common form of noise pollution is from transportation, principally motor vehicles. The word "noise" comes from the Latin word "noxia" meaning "injury" or "hurt".
Sound pollution have adverse effects on ecosystem. Scientists have found that 40 percent of the locations around the world are contaminated with human-generated noise. As a result, animals can no longer make themselves heard, compromising mating calls and warning cries.
Research conducted by Cornell University found that an increasingly noisy ocean has impeded the ability of whales to navigate and communicate. Shipping traffic is the major problem in popular whale migration and feeding routes.
