Long-term underwater sound measurements in the shipping noise indicator bands 63 Hz and 125 Hz from the port of Falmouth Bay, UK

J. K. Garrett; Ph Blondel; B. J. Godley; S. K. Pikesley; M. J. Witt; L. Johanning

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.021

Long-term underwater sound measurements in the shipping noise indicator bands 63 Hz and 125 Hz from the port of Falmouth Bay, UK

J. K. Garrett, Ph Blondel, B. J. Godley, S. K. Pikesley, M. J. Witt^*, L. Johanning

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Chronic low-frequency anthropogenic sound, such as shipping noise, may be negatively affecting marine life. The EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) includes a specific indicator focused on this noise. This indicator is the yearly average sound level in third-octave bands with centre frequencies at 63 Hz and 125 Hz. These levels are described for Falmouth Bay, UK, an active port at the entrance to the English Channel. Underwater sound was recorded for 30 min h^− 1over the period June 2012 to November 2013 for a total of 435 days. Mean third-octave levels were louder in the 125-Hz band (annual mean level of 96.0 dB re 1 μPa) than in the 63-Hz band (92.6 dB re 1 μPa). These levels and variations are assessed as a function of seasons, shipping activity and wave height, providing comparison points for future monitoring activities, including the MSFD and emerging international regulation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	438-448
Number of pages	11
Journal	Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume	110
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.021
Publication status	Published - 15 Sept 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oceanography
Aquatic Science
Pollution

Keywords

Disturbance
Marine
MSFD
Shipping noise
Third-octave levels
Underwater sound

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.021

Cite this

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title = "Long-term underwater sound measurements in the shipping noise indicator bands 63 Hz and 125 Hz from the port of Falmouth Bay, UK",

abstract = "Chronic low-frequency anthropogenic sound, such as shipping noise, may be negatively affecting marine life. The EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) includes a specific indicator focused on this noise. This indicator is the yearly average sound level in third-octave bands with centre frequencies at 63 Hz and 125 Hz. These levels are described for Falmouth Bay, UK, an active port at the entrance to the English Channel. Underwater sound was recorded for 30 min h− 1over the period June 2012 to November 2013 for a total of 435 days. Mean third-octave levels were louder in the 125-Hz band (annual mean level of 96.0 dB re 1 μPa) than in the 63-Hz band (92.6 dB re 1 μPa). These levels and variations are assessed as a function of seasons, shipping activity and wave height, providing comparison points for future monitoring activities, including the MSFD and emerging international regulation.",

keywords = "Disturbance, Marine, MSFD, Shipping noise, Third-octave levels, Underwater sound",

author = "Garrett, {J. K.} and Ph Blondel and Godley, {B. J.} and Pikesley, {S. K.} and Witt, {M. J.} and L. Johanning",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 The Authors",

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AU - Garrett, J. K.

AU - Blondel, Ph

AU - Godley, B. J.

AU - Pikesley, S. K.

AU - Witt, M. J.

AU - Johanning, L.

PY - 2016/9/15

Y1 - 2016/9/15

N2 - Chronic low-frequency anthropogenic sound, such as shipping noise, may be negatively affecting marine life. The EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) includes a specific indicator focused on this noise. This indicator is the yearly average sound level in third-octave bands with centre frequencies at 63 Hz and 125 Hz. These levels are described for Falmouth Bay, UK, an active port at the entrance to the English Channel. Underwater sound was recorded for 30 min h− 1over the period June 2012 to November 2013 for a total of 435 days. Mean third-octave levels were louder in the 125-Hz band (annual mean level of 96.0 dB re 1 μPa) than in the 63-Hz band (92.6 dB re 1 μPa). These levels and variations are assessed as a function of seasons, shipping activity and wave height, providing comparison points for future monitoring activities, including the MSFD and emerging international regulation.

AB - Chronic low-frequency anthropogenic sound, such as shipping noise, may be negatively affecting marine life. The EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) includes a specific indicator focused on this noise. This indicator is the yearly average sound level in third-octave bands with centre frequencies at 63 Hz and 125 Hz. These levels are described for Falmouth Bay, UK, an active port at the entrance to the English Channel. Underwater sound was recorded for 30 min h− 1over the period June 2012 to November 2013 for a total of 435 days. Mean third-octave levels were louder in the 125-Hz band (annual mean level of 96.0 dB re 1 μPa) than in the 63-Hz band (92.6 dB re 1 μPa). These levels and variations are assessed as a function of seasons, shipping activity and wave height, providing comparison points for future monitoring activities, including the MSFD and emerging international regulation.

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