Year: 2011
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: A modelling methodology for assessing the noise impact of a tidal turbine array on marine animals is presented.The main noise sources, modelled semi-empirically, are inflow turbulence noise and mechanical noise.Underwater acoustic propagation is handled by the AcTUP software suite, utilising the fast-field method.The noise impact is then assessed based on a recommended 'dosage' criteria.A case study is presented based on the 'Sound of Islay' tidal energy project, concerned specifically with the lowfrequency noise impact on fish (cod).This reveals that permanent threshold shift is not expected, whilst temporary hearing loss effects are possible if fish spend extensive periods close to the device (within 2 rotor diameters).Behavioural and masking effects might be expected, although these are hard to quantify from the literature.Improved noise source modelling is identified as a development required for the methodology.
Institution: University of Southampton
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W19090799