Geo-Spatial Tool for the Assessment Offshore Pile Driving Noise Effects on Marine Mammals

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, Egypt (email: walid.dawoud@ejust.edu.eg)

Abstract

Most of offshore structures are found on large diameter driven-piles that produce
high amount of underwater noise that can propagate up to a distance of 200 km. This
underwater noise has detrimental effects on the marine mammals and at very high
levels can injure or even kill the mammal. The propagation of underwater noise
produced during pile driving is an important issue especially for newly constructed
offshore structures. Geospatial tool to assess underwater noise propagation due to
pile diving is proposed. The tool will serve to assess both Sound Exposure Level and
Sound Pressure Level at any location. Pile Driven in the red sea near Jeddah Islamic
Port was considered as a test case. The tool successfully predicted the underwater
noise propagation at different locations. The accuracy of the tool depends mainly on
the used prediction model, Roger’s Model. Future updates will consider multiple
piles driven at the same time and allow the user to use any other propagation model.
The Egyptian International Journal of Engineering Sciences and Technology
Volume 19, EIJEST, Vol. 19, 2016
Special Issue ICESA-2016
June 2016
Pages 333-338

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