Mapping Underwater Sound in the Dutch Part of the North Sea

Area of Science:

• Marine acoustics
• Environmental science
• Oceanography

Background:

• European Union mandates good environmental status for marine waters.
• Underwater sound is recognized as a potentially adverse factor impacting marine ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate detailed maps of underwater sound sources in the Dutch North Sea.
• To provide a tool for assessing and predicting the effects of underwater sound on marine life.

Main Methods:

• Simulating source properties of underwater sound.
• Employing mathematical models for sound propagation analysis.
• Geospatial mapping of sound origins and distribution.

Main Results:

• Developed comprehensive maps detailing underwater soundscapes.
• Identified contributions from both natural and anthropogenic sound sources.
• Quantified sound propagation patterns across the study area.

Conclusions:

• The generated sound maps are crucial for evaluating large-scale impacts on marine fauna.
• These maps serve as a valuable resource for managing underwater sound pollution.
• Supports the achievement of good environmental status in marine territorial waters.