Characterization of the Acoustic Field in Marine Environments with Anthropogenic Noise

URI / Handle

Most animals inhabit the aquatic environment are acoustical-oriented, due to the physical characteristics of water that favors sound transmission. Many aquatic animals depend on underwater sound to navigate, communicate, find prey, and avoid predators. The degradation of underwater acoustic environment due to human activities is expected to affected these animals' well-being and survival at the population level. This dissertation presents three original studies on the characteristics and behavior of underwater sound fields in three unique marine environments with anthropogenic noises.The first study examines the soundscape of the Chinese white dolphin habitat in Taiwan. Acoustic recordings were made at two coastal shallow water locations, Yunlin and Waisanding, in 2012. Results show that croaker choruses are dominant sound sources in the 1.2-2.4 kHz frequency band for both locations at night, and noises from container ships in the 150-300 Hz frequency band define the relative higher broadband sound levels at Yunlin. Results also illustrate interrelationships among different biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic elements that shape the fine-scale soundscape in a coastal environment.The second study investigates the inter-pulse sound field during an open-water seismic survey in coastal shallow waters of the Arctic. The research uses continuous acoustic recordings collected from one bottom-mounted hydrophone deployed in the Beaufort Sea in summer 2012. Two quantitative methods were developed to examine the inter-pulse sound field characteristics and its dependence on source distances. Results show that inter-pulse sound field could raise the ambient noise floor by as much as 9 dB, depending on ambient condition and source distance.The third study examines the inter-ping sound field of simulated mid-frequency active sonar in deep waters off southern California in 2013 and 2014. The study used drifting acoustic recorder buoys to collect acoustic data during sonar playbacks. The results show strong band-limited elevation (13-24 dB) of sound pressure levels for over half of the inter-ping intervals above the natural background levels.These three studies provide insights on the dynamics of marine soundscape and how anthropogenic activities can change the acoustic habitat by elevating the overall sound field levels.
Details
Title

Characterization of the Acoustic Field in Marine Environments with Anthropogenic Noise

Contributors

Vignola, Joseph F (Advisor); Guan, Shane (Author); Judge, John A (Other); Turo, Diego (Other); Southall, Brandon L (Other)

Degree Information

Degree awarded: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering. The Catholic University of America

Extent

188 p.

URI / Handle

http://hdl.handle.net/1961/cuislandora:28287

Advisor

Vignola, Joseph F

URI / Handle

http://hdl.handle.net/1961/cuislandora:28287

Other

Judge, John A; Turo, Diego; Southall, Brandon L

Subject

Acoustics; Environmental science; Fisheries and aquatic sciences; acoustic habitat; inter-pulse sound field; noise impact; ocean noise; soundscape; underwater noise

Created

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Abstract

Most animals inhabit the aquatic environment are acoustical-oriented, due to the physical characteristics of water that favors sound transmission. Many aquatic animals depend on underwater sound to navigate, communicate, find prey, and avoid predators. The degradation of underwater acoustic environment due to human activities is expected to affected these animals' well-being and survival at the population level. This dissertation presents three original studies on the characteristics and behavior of underwater sound fields in three unique marine environments with anthropogenic noises.The first study examines the soundscape of the Chinese white dolphin habitat in Taiwan. Acoustic recordings were made at two coastal shallow water locations, Yunlin and Waisanding, in 2012. Results show that croaker choruses are dominant sound sources in the 1.2-2.4 kHz frequency band for both locations at night, and noises from container ships in the 150-300 Hz frequency band define the relative higher broadband sound levels at Yunlin. Results also illustrate interrelationships among different biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic elements that shape the fine-scale soundscape in a coastal environment.The second study investigates the inter-pulse sound field during an open-water seismic survey in coastal shallow waters of the Arctic. The research uses continuous acoustic recordings collected from one bottom-mounted hydrophone deployed in the Beaufort Sea in summer 2012. Two quantitative methods were developed to examine the inter-pulse sound field characteristics and its dependence on source distances. Results show that inter-pulse sound field could raise the ambient noise floor by as much as 9 dB, depending on ambient condition and source distance.The third study examines the inter-ping sound field of simulated mid-frequency active sonar in deep waters off southern California in 2013 and 2014. The study used drifting acoustic recorder buoys to collect acoustic data during sonar playbacks. The results show strong band-limited elevation (13-24 dB) of sound pressure levels for over half of the inter-ping intervals above the natural background levels.These three studies provide insights on the dynamics of marine soundscape and how anthropogenic activities can change the acoustic habitat by elevating the overall sound field levels.

Type

Text; Dissertation

Local

Guan_cua_0043A_10586

Publisher

The Catholic University of America

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