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Title: Marine energy converters: Potential acoustic effects on fishes and aquatic invertebrates

Journal Article · · Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0020150 · OSTI ID:2039055
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3];  [4];  [5]; ORCiD logo [6]
  1. University of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States); Environmental BioAcoustics LLC, Silver Spring, MD (United States)
  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Sequim, WA (United States)
  3. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Sterling, VA (United States); Catholic University of America, Washington, DC (United States)
  4. University of Exeter (United Kingdom)
  5. University of Liverpool (United Kingdom)
  6. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

The potential effects of underwater anthropogenic sound and substrate vibration from offshore renewable energy development on the behavior, fitness, and health of aquatic animals is a continuing concern with increased deployments and installation of these devices. Initial focus of related studies concerned offshore wind. However, over the past decade, marine energy devices, such as a tidal turbines and wave energy converters, have begun to emerge as additional, scalable renewable energy sources. Because marine energy converters (MECs) are not as well-known as other anthropogenic sources of potential disturbance, their general function and what is known about the sounds and substrate vibrations that they produce are introduced. Furthermore, while most previous studies focused on MECs and marine mammals, this paper considers the potential of MECs to cause acoustic disturbances affecting nearshore and tidal fishes and invertebrates. In particular, the focus is on particle motion and substrate vibration from MECs because these effects are the most likely to be detected by these animals. Finally, an analysis of major data gaps in understanding the acoustics of MECs and their potential impacts on fishes and aquatic invertebrates and recommendations for research needed over the next several years to improve understanding of these potential impacts are provided.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Water Power Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
2039055
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--182149
Journal Information:
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Journal Name: Journal of the Acoustical Society of America Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 154; ISSN 0001-4966
Publisher:
Acoustical Society of AmericaCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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