2010, Subacoustech, Triton Knoll, Underwater Noise Impact Modelling

Subacoustech Environmental has undertaken a study to model the potential impact underwater noise generated by piling operations during the construction of the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm (TKOWF) could have on local populations of fish (specifically, herring, sole and lemon sole) and marine mammals (specifically, harbour porpoise and harbour and grey seals). The levels of underwater noise from the installation of 7.0 m and 8.5 m diameter piles at two representative piling locations have been estimated using a proprietary underwater sound propagation model (INSPIRE v18) that enables the level of noise from the piling and its behaviour with range to be estimated for varying tidal conditions, water depths and piling locations. The model is based on, and validated against, an existing database of measurements of piling noise.