Monitoring Sea Surface Processes Using the High Frequency Ambient Sound Field

Abstract

LONG-TERM GOAL: To make passive acoustic monitoring of the marine environment an accepted quantitative tool for measuring sea surface conditions (wind speed, rainfall and sea state), monitoring for the presence and identity of marine wildlife (especially whales), and monitoring anthropogenic activities including shipping, sonar and other industrial activities. By establishing a methodology for describing the sound budget for a location, including the quasi-steady sound levels from the sea surface and the frequency and intensity of transient sounds from marine wildlife and human activities (close and distant shipping, sonar activities, other acoustic "beacons", etc.), a baseline of information for making decisions regarding additional human activities, in particular Naval operations using active sonars, will become available. This decision aid is needed to understand the perceived affect of sound-producing activities, in particular, Naval operations and research activities, on the marine environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2006
Accession Number
ADA612581

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey Aaron Nystuen

Organizations

  • University of Washington

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Detection
  • Ambient Noise
  • Bering Sea
  • Data Sets
  • Deep Oceans
  • Detection
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Inland Waterways
  • Marine Mammals
  • Measurement
  • Monitoring
  • Naval Operations
  • Oceanography
  • Oceans
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Underwater Sound

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Marine Mammal Biology