2009, Gardline Environmental Ltd.National Physical LaboratoryLoughborough University, Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm, Underwater Noise Monitoring During Marine Piling

Description

The purpose of this work was to monitor the radiated underwater acoustic noise from marine pile driving during the installation of turbine support piles in the construction phase of the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm. This has allowed an assessment to be made of the likely impact of acoustic noise on marine life in the area. The measurement and analysis work was conducted between the months of July and September 2009 by staff of Gardline Environmental Ltd, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Loughborough University - Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (LU).

The report presents the received levels measured using the various hydrophone recording systems for each pile measured. Comparisons are also drawn with the measured results from other researchers, including those obtained from wind farm developments in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.


Species perceived levels using dBht analysis demonstrated estimated strong avoidance ranges of between two and 12 kilometres from the sound source, with dab demonstrating avoidance of over four kilometres.