Basan, F; Fischer, J-G; Putland, R; Brinkkemper, J; de Jong, C A F; Binnerts, B; Norro, A; Kuhnel, D; Odegaard, L-A; Andersson, M; Lalander, E; Tougaard, J; Griffiths, E T; Kosecka, M; Edwards, E; Merchant, N D; de Jong, K; Robinson, S; Wang, L; Kinneging, N (2024) The underwater soundscape of the North Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 198. 115891

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Abstract

As awareness on the impact of anthropogenic underwater noise on marine life grows, underwater noise measurement programs are needed to determine the current status of marine areas and monitor long-term trends. The Joint Monitoring Programme for Ambient Noise in the North Sea (JOMOPANS) collaborative project was funded by the EU Interreg to collect a unique dataset of underwater noise levels at 19 sites across the North Sea, spanning many different countries and covering the period from 2019 to 2020. The soundscapes from this dataset have been characterised and compared - setting a benchmark for future measurements in the North Sea area. By identifying clusters with similar sound characteristics in three broadband frequency bands, geographical areas that are similarly affected by sound have been identified. The measured underwater sound levels show a persistent and spatially uniform correlation with wind speed at high frequencies, a correlation with the distance from ships at mid and high frequencies, and a correlation with ocean current velocity at low frequencies susceptible to flow noise. These correlations were evaluated and simplified linear scaling laws for wind and current speeds were derived. The presented dataset provides a baseline for underwater noise measurements in the North Sea and shows that spatial variability of the dominant anthropogenic noise sources must be considered to predict the impact of noise reduction measures.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Ocean noise, ambient noise, North sea, noise maps
Subjects:	Acoustics > Underwater Acoustics
Divisions:	Medical, Marine & Nuclear
Identification number/DOI:	10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115891
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2024 14:21
URI:	https://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/10094