Three-dimensional anthropogenic underwater noise modeling in an Arctic fjord for acoustic risk assessment. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Richard, Gaëtan; Mathias, Delphine; Collin, Jérémy; Chauvaud, Laurent; Bonnel, Julien
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 187(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Acoustic models -- Three-dimensional propagation -- Masking -- Noise pollution; A Audiogram -- CR Critical Ratio -- D Disturbance -- M Masking -- NL Noise Level -- RL Received Level -- SE Signal Excess -- SL Source Level -- TL Transmission Loss; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114487
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Sea-ice covering is drastically declining in the Arctic, opening new maritime routes and thus introducing underwater noise pollution in nearly pristine acoustic environments. Evaluating underwater noise pollution requires good acoustic propagation modeling to predict sound exposure levels. However, underwater noise modeling for acoustic risk assessments has often been carried out using simplistic propagation models, which approximate a 3D propagation in several planes (Nx2D), instead of using full 3D propagation models. However, Nx2D propagation models are impractical for winding geography and steep bathymetry as found in Arctic fjords. The purpose of this study is to estimate disturbance and masking effects on Arctic animal species from shipping noises, modeled through a traditional Nx2D BELLHOP model and a full 3D BELLHOP model. Classical Nx2D propagation modeling largely underestimates the anthropogenic noise footprint in Arctic fjords compared to using a full 3D propagation model. Highlights: New maritime routes in Arctic introduce underwater noise pollution. Underwater noise pollution requires appropriate acoustic propagation modeling. 3D acoustic propagation is mainly approximated via 2D models in several planes. 2D propagation model is impractical for geography and bathymetry of Arctic fjords. 2D model underestimates noise pollution in fjords compared to 3D model.