skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Analysis and ranking of the acoustic disturbance potential of petroleum-industry activities and other sources of noise in the environment of marine mammals in Alaska. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7128117

The study compares the relative magnitudes and effects on marine mammals of noise from oil and gas industry activities with noise from other sources in Alaska OCS and coastal waters. The study procedure incorporates the receiver, source and path concepts generally used in acoustic analysis. The receiver characterization includes a review of marine mammal distribution in Alaska and a map of the distribution of each major species. Information on species sound production, hearing sensitivity (when known), and observed responses to noise sources is also included. The analysis of noise sources found in the Alaskan marine environment considers natural, industrial, transportation, and cultural sources. Acoustic transmission loss characteristics obtained from measurements and model predictions are used to estimate the effective ranges of the noise sources using available source level information. Information on species distribution was combined with information on source distribution, source level, and transmission loss to determine the most significant sources in terms of their acoustic range and the numbers of mammals potentially affected by developing a Standardized Noise Contribution Model species.

Research Organization:
Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Inc., Cambridge, MA (USA)
OSTI ID:
7128117
Report Number(s):
PB-90-188673/XAB; REPT-6945
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English