Anthropogenic sound field and noise mapping in an Arctic fjord during summer

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 173; no. Pt B; p. 113035
• Main Authors: M C, Sanjana, G, Latha, G, Raguraman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Acoustic propagation; Acoustics; Ambient noise mapping; Anthropogenic factors; Anthropogenic noise; Estimates; Estuaries; Fjords; Marine transportation; Noise; Noise measurement; Noise prediction; Noise propagation; Polar environments; Propagation; Shipping; Ships; Sound; Sound fields; Sound pressure; Sound propagation; Sound Spectrography; Spectral level; Summer; Traffic information; Transmission loss; Vessels; Arctic region; Spectral level; Sound propagation; Anthropogenic noise; Ambient noise mapping
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113035

Sound Pressure Levels were recorded using an Automated Noise Measurement System, during July 2015 – April 2016 at the Kongsfjorden, Arctic. The fjord houses the NyAlesund port and has many vessels plying during summer, which contributes to anthropogenic noise. Spectral distribution and average sound level at 1/3-octave band from 63 Hz to 5000 Hz has been analyzed and correlated with Automatic Identification System marine traffic data. The radiated acoustic field from vessel transits has been predicted through source level modeling for different category vessels. Further, an acoustic propagation model MMPE based on Parabolic Equation method has been used to evaluate range dependent propagation along the fjord and Transmission Loss estimates have been calculated for upslope and down slope cases. Noise due to shipping has been estimated using Source-Path-Receiver Model using Propagation Loss model estimates, Sound Pressure Level, and Source Level predictions. Noise maps with level contours are generated for shipping, depicting the maximum sound levels for the Kongsfjorden. •Sound Pressure Levels due to shipping noise recorded using an Automated Noise Measurement System (ANMS), during summer of 2015 is reported here.•Spectral distribution at 1/3-octave band from 63 Hz to 5 kHz has been correlated with Automatic Identification System (AIS) marine traffic data.•The source level spectrum for different category vessels modeled using Modified loss Power Law Model and the reference spectrum model JOMOPANS-ECHO.•An acoustic propagation model MMPE, based on Parabolic Equation method has been used to evaluate range dependent propagation along the fjord.•Noise maps with level contours are generated for passenger vessels, depicting the maximum sound levels for the Kongsfjorden region.