Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the publication of the
following in the Journal of Environmental Protection:
E. Dazey, B. McIntosh, S. Brown and K.
Dudzinski, "Assessment of Underwater Anthropogenic Noise Associated with
Construction Activities in Bechers Bay, Santa Rosa Island, California,"
Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol. 3 No. 10, 2012, pp. 1286-1294.
ABSTRACT: Acoustic monitoring and mitigation of
underwater construction noise was conducted during marine pier demolition and
reconstruction activities near Santa Rosa Island, California. Activities
spanned two construction seasons and used both auger and pneumatic percussion
drilling methods for pile placement. Pile drilling activities during
construction resulted in sound pressure levels (SPL) ranging from 121.0 to
184.5 dB re 1 ěPa. No significant difference was found for calculated source
SPLs between the Season 1 and Season 2 methods of pile drilling (KW = 2.28, p =
0.15). Additionally, no significant difference was found for calculated source
SPLs during active drilling between the Season 1 and Season 2 methods of pile
drilling (KW = 3.39, p = 0.07). The average calculated source SPL documented
during this study was lower than the NOAA Fisheries mandated safety zone
threshold (160.0 dB re 1 ěPa [rms]) for harassment to marine mammals. This is
the first known report of SPL data collected in concert with marine pile
drilling via the auger drilling technique. The results from this study can be
used to improve information for and assist with the development of regulatory
policies and techniques regarding sound level thresholds and mitigation
monitoring.
KEYWORDS: Acoustic Monitoring; Pile Drilling;
Mitigation; Channel Islands
The paper is Open Access and available here:
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=23825
Erica Dazey
Marine Scientist
Geo-Marine, Inc.
Plano, Texas 75074
(972) 423-5480