Criteria and Thresholds for Adverse Effects of Underwater Noise on Marine Animals
Abstract
This is one of five companion reports, each of which deals with one aspect of the problem of assessing the effect of noise from military aircraft on marine life: sonic booms, subsonic aircraft noise, sound properties in air compared to sound properties in water, criteria and thresholds for risk. The purpose of this effort is to establish technically sound estimation procedures for determining the effects of military aircraft noise on marine life in water. Objectives include developing procedures for predicting properties of sound waves in air and under water as generated by both subsonic and supersonic aircraft; estimating the effects of sound on marine life, both in air and under water; determining populations of marine life at risk, as fictions of aircraft, flight path, and time of year. This volume focuses on criteria and quantitative thresholds of sound for use in estimating the risk of injury or harassment to marine life. Precedent and current technical views are used to estimate that range of thresholds. The material is suitable for use in formal NEPA documentation and as background for legal arguments. While the emphasis of this report is on aircraft-generated noise, most of the material can be applied to cases of other noise sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA395599
Entities
People
- Raymond C. Cavanagh