2004, Subacoustech Ltd., Measurements of Underwater Noise During Construction of Offshore Wind Farms and Comparison With Background Noise

Description

This project examines underwater noise studies carried out by Subacoustech Ltd on behalf of Collaborative for Offshore Wind Research Into the Environment (COWRIE).  

The impacts of waterborne noise are not completely understood but is has been expressed that possible effects of man made underwater noise include behaviour change, physical injury (such as deafness) and even death in marine mammals and fish.

The purpose of this project is to measure pre-existing background noise and to rate noise from construction and operation of wind farms in terms of its potential for environmental effect.  These measurements will aid estimation and minimisation of the impact of noise during the lifecycle (construction, operation and decommissioning) of wind farms.