Assessing underwater noise levels during pile-driving at an offshore windfarm and its potential effects on marine mammals

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 888-897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Bailey ◽  
Bridget Senior ◽  
Dave Simmons ◽  
Jan Rusin ◽  
Gordon Picken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Pile Driving ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Noise Levels

Underwater noise and Arctic marine mammals: review and policy recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Halliday ◽  
Matthew K. Pine ◽  
Stephen J. Insley
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Auditory Masking ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Ambient Sound

Underwater noise is an important issue globally. Underwater noise can cause auditory masking, behavioural disturbance, hearing damage, and even death for marine animals. While underwater noise levels have been increasing in nonpolar regions, noise levels are thought to be much lower in the Arctic where the presence of sea ice limits anthropogenic activities. However, climate change is causing sea ice to decrease, which is allowing for increased access for noisy anthropogenic activities. Underwater noise may have more severe impacts in the Arctic compared with nonpolar regions due to a combination of lower ambient sound levels and increased sensitivity of Arctic marine animals to underwater noise. Here, we review ambient sound levels in the Arctic, as well as the reactions of Arctic and sub-Arctic marine mammals to underwater noise. We then relate what is known about underwater noise in the Arctic to policies and management solutions for underwater noise and discuss whether Arctic-specific policies are necessary.

scholarly journals Above and below: Military Aircraft Noise in Air and under Water at Whidbey Island, Washington

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 923
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Kuehne ◽  
Christine Erbe ◽  
Erin Ashe ◽  
Laura T. Bogaard ◽  
Marena Salerno Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Military Aircraft ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Cumulative Duration ◽  
Noise Impacts

Military operations may result in noise impacts on surrounding communities and wildlife. A recent transition to more powerful military aircraft and a national consolidation of training operations to Whidbey Island, WA, USA, provided a unique opportunity to measure and assess both in-air and underwater noise associated with military aircraft. In-air noise levels (110 ± 4 dB re 20 µPa rms and 107 ± 5 dBA) exceeded known thresholds of behavioral and physiological impacts for humans, as well as terrestrial birds and mammals. Importantly, we demonstrate that the number and cumulative duration of daily overflights exceed those in a majority of studies that have evaluated impacts of noise from military aircraft worldwide. Using a hydrophone deployed near one runway, we also detected sound signatures of aircraft at a depth of 30 m below the sea surface, with noise levels (134 ± 3 dB re 1 µPa rms) exceeding thresholds known to trigger behavioral changes in fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, including Endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Our study highlights challenges and problems in evaluating the implications of increased noise pollution from military operations, and knowledge gaps that should be prioritized with respect to understanding impacts on people and sensitive wildlife.

scholarly journals Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 190335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isla M. Graham ◽  
Nathan D. Merchant ◽  
Adrian Farcas ◽  
Tim R. Barton ◽  
Barbara Cheney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Harbour Porpoise ◽  
Pile Driving ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Behavioural Disturbance ◽  
Total Displacement ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Probability Of Response ◽  
Over Time

Estimating impacts of offshore windfarm construction on marine mammals requires data on displacement in relation to different noise levels and sources. Using echolocation detectors and noise recorders, we investigated harbour porpoise behavioural responses to piling noise during the 10-month foundation installation of a North Sea windfarm. Current UK guidance assumes total displacement within 26 km of pile driving. By contrast, we recorded a 50% probability of response within 7.4 km (95% CI = 5.7–9.4) at the first location piled, decreasing to 1.3 km (95% CI = 0.2–2.8) by the final location; representing 28% (95% CI = 21–35) and 18% (95% CI = 13–23) displacement of individuals within 26 km. Distance proved as good a predictor of responses as audiogram-weighted received levels, presenting a more practicable variable for environmental assessments. Critically, acoustic deterrent device (ADD) use and vessel activity increased response levels. Policy and management to minimize impacts of renewables on cetaceans have concentrated on pile-driving noise. Our results highlight the need to consider trade-offs between efforts to reduce far-field behavioural disturbance and near-field injury through ADD use.

Damped cylindrical spreading model: Estimation of mitigated pile driving noise levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 108350
Author(s):  
Jasmin Jestel ◽  
Jonas von Pein ◽  
Tristan Lippert ◽  
Otto von Estorff
Keyword(s):  
Pile Driving ◽  
Model Estimation ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Spreading Model

Noise Control Decision Process for Marine Vessels

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond W. Fischer ◽  
Louis M. Pettit
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Noise Control ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Radiated Noise ◽  
Underwater Radiated Noise ◽  
Sound Levels ◽  
Airborne Noise ◽  
Control Decision ◽  
Marine Vessels

There is a price to be paid to achieve compliance with the acoustic requirements imposed by regulatory agencies. Acoustic requirements typically appear in ship specifications as airborne and/or underwater radiated noise limits as the need to preclude hearing loss for crew members and the need to control sound levels experienced by marine mammals receive more recognition. Recent changes and additions to regulatory body requirements addressing compartment airborne noise and underwater radiated noise can be found in IMO Resolution MSC.337(91) Annex 1 and Annex 2 which state that IMO Resolution A.468(XII) “Code on Noise Levels Onboard Ships” shall take effect on 1 July 2014 for all SOLAS compliant vessels. Thus the airborne noise levels in compartments and at on-deck work stations onboard as-built ships seeking a SOLAS certificate will need to be measured, and must demonstrate compliance with noise limits stated in paragraph 4.2 of IMO Resolution A.468(XII). IMO “Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping to Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life” dated 7 April 2014 and agencies such as ICES and DNV have established guidance and/or criteria for control of underwater radiated noise from vessels, and these too are now commonly appearing in ship specifications. Specifications referencing such criteria typically require that compliance be demonstrated by at-sea testing of underwater radiated noise. Making the correct decisions during the ship design process will minimize costs for noise control and will provide a positive return on investment. The process of how best to comply with noise limits while minimizing costs through optimization of noise control treatments and design approaches is discussed.

scholarly journals Measurement of small vessel machinery vibration induced acoustic signature levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
GVV Pavan Kumar ◽  
V V S Prasad ◽  
B H Nagesh
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Response Spectra ◽  
Underwater Sound ◽  
Underwater Noise ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Small Vessels ◽  
Performance Point ◽  
Engine Room ◽  
Airborne Noise ◽  
Main Engine

Ship vibrations, airborne and underwater noise levels have always been a challenging topic from a performance point of view in ship design, building and operation. The measurement shall help in monitoring the self-noise and the technical state of their machinery mechanism. The vibration levels on the main engine and auxiliary Genset foundation, airborne noise levels of the engine room and underwater self-noise levels of a small mechanized fishing trawler was measured at the jetty in idling condition.  The vibration levels on the foundation measured the average value of 0.207 mm/s for the main engine and 1.36 mm/s for auxiliary Genset. The airborne noise levels measured 99 dB (A) in the engine room. The peak underwater sound pressure levels measured 162 dB re 1µPa. The response spectra indicate the peak vibration and noise levels in the lower frequency region <1.2 kHz. The machinery excitation forces transferred to the hull surface as pressure fluctuations which generated the airborne and underwater noise levels. Though the measurement limited to jetty conditions, detailed analysis can be useful for detection, classification, and tracking of small vessels.

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