Underwater noise pollution in a coastal tropical environment

Bittencourt, L.; Carvalho, R.R.; Lailson-Brito, J.; Azevedo, A.F.

Underwater noise pollution in a coastal tropical environment

2014

Bittencourt, L. | Carvalho, R.R. | Lailson-Brito, J. | Azevedo, A.F.

Underwater noise pollution has become a major concern in marine habitats. Guanabara Bay, southeastern Brazil, is an impacted area of economic importance with constant vessel traffic. One hundred acoustic recording sessions took place over ten locations. Sound sources operating within 1km radius of each location were quantified during recordings. The highest mean sound pressure level near the surface was 111.56±9.0dB re 1μPa at the frequency band of 187Hz. Above 15kHz, the highest mean sound pressure level was 76.21±8.3dB re 1μPa at the frequency 15.89kHz. Noise levels correlated with number of operating vessels and vessel traffic composition influenced noise profiles. Shipping locations had the highest noise levels, while small vessels locations had the lowest noise levels. Guanabara Bay showed noise pollution similar to that of other impacted coastal regions, which is related to shipping and vessel traffic.

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