Yan, J. and Benson, T. (2026) Satellite enhanced numerical modelling of shipping and weather induced ambient underwater noise in a busy deep-water harbour. In: ICUA 2026 (International Conference on Underwater Acoustics), 15-18 June 2026, Glasgow, UK. (Submitted)
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Evaluating of the effects of underwater noise radiated from anthropogenic activities on marine life is becoming an essential component of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. To date, assessments have primarily focused on relatively short-term activities that can radiate high levels of sound such as pile driving, seismic surveys or dredging. Increasingly, the longer-term low frequency (<1kHz) ambient sound radiated by vessels is also being assessed as it has the potential to lead to chronic effects on marine fauna in terms of stress and behavioural responses. Wind-induced surface waves and, at higher frequencies, precipitation also contribute to the ambient noise levels, raising the possibility of future sound level increases due to climate change. The present study presents a methodology for predicting the ambient underwater noise field, including contributions from both vessel traffic and weather events. The method combines vessel traffic information from satellite recorded Automatic Identification System (AIS) with weather data from the ERA5 global reanalysis model. These input data are used to empirically determine the temporally and spatially varying source level spectra. Sound propagation modelling techniques are then used to generate maps that represent the spatial characteristics, seasonality, and complexity of the ambient noise field. A test case of Falmouth Bay (UK) is used to demonstrate how these enhancements from satellite derived data enable accurate predictions of the ambient sound levels, which can then be compared against the predicted sound levels during proposed construction or dredging activities, hence optimising the EIA and regulatory decision-making process.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Full paper will be published on the event website in due course. |
| Subjects: | Maritime > Ship navigation and mooring |
| Divisions: | Maritime |
| Depositing User: | Helen Stevenson |
| Date Deposited: | 27 May 2026 13:08 |
| Last Modified: | 27 May 2026 13:08 |
| URI: | http://eprints.hrwallingford.com/id/eprint/1735 |
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