Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015-2017

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Merchant, Nathan D ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1090-0016, Andersson, Mathias H, Box, Tetrienne, Le Courtois, Florent, Cronin, Dónal, Holdsworth, Neil, Kinneging, Niels, Mendes, Sónia, Merck, Thomas, Mouat, John, Norro, Alain M J, Ollivier, Benjamin, Pinto, Carlos, Stamp, Philip and Tougaard, Jakob (2020) Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015-2017. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 152. ISSN 0025-326X

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Abstract

Underwater noise pollution from impulsive sources (e.g. explosions, seismic airguns, percussive pile driving) can affect marine fauna through mortality, physical injury, auditory damage, physiological stress, acoustic masking, and behavioural responses. Given the potential for large-scale impact on marine ecosystems, some countries are now monitoring impulsive noise activity, coordinated internationally through Regional Seas Conventions. Here, we assess impulsive noise activity in the Northeast Atlantic reported during 2015-2017 to the first international impulsive noise register (INR), established in 2016 under the OSPAR Convention. Seismic airgun surveys were the dominant noise source (67%-83% of annual activity) and declined by 38% during 2015-2017. Reported pile driving activity increased 46%. Explosions and sonar/acoustic deterrent devices both had overall increases in reported activity. Some increases were attributable to more comprehensive reporting in later years. We discuss utilising the INR for risk assessment, target setting, and forward planning, and the implementation of similar systems in other regions.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Uncontrolled Keywords: marine mammal,noise abatement,noise registry,offshore windfarm,quieting,seismic survey,oceanography,aquatic science,pollution,sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1900/1910
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE)
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Collaborative Centre for Sustainable Use of the Seas
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 12 Feb 2021 01:18
Last Modified: 22 Oct 2022 08:34
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/79232
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110951

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