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The measurement of underwater noise radiated by dredging vessels during aggregate extraction operations

The measurement of underwater noise radiated by dredging vessels during aggregate extraction operations
The measurement of underwater noise radiated by dredging vessels during aggregate extraction operations
The total marine aggregate extracted from the seabed in UK waters can exceed 20 million tonnes each year, and there is a need to understand the noise generated during the extraction process in order to evaluate any potential impact on the marine environment. For aggregate extraction, the type of vessel used is a trailing suction hopper dredger, which lowers a drag head and suction pipe to the sea floor to extract the sand or gravel, depositing it in a hopper on the vessel, whilst returning unwanted material and water over the side of the vessel. There are a number of potential noise generation mechanisms during this type of dredging activity. This paper presents the results of underwater noise measurements for six different dredgers measured in three locations around the UK, with aggregate type varying from sand to coarse gravel. One vessel was measured in two different areas with different aggregate types. The methodology used to derive the source level for the dredgers is described, and the results of an investigation into the origin of the radiated noise are given. Measurements were made at frequencies up to 100 kHz. Noise levels are shown for the same dredger under different operational modes, illustrating that the noise output is partially dependent upon the mode of operation and the aggregate type being extracted.
source level, noise, dredging, ansi s12.64.
Theobald, P.D.
236fc379-85f5-405f-9994-f9b07b14b8fa
Robinson, S.P.
00d341a1-6153-45db-bda4-666928a652e5
Lepper, P.A.
fe6323f8-e7f8-486e-b22e-30fcca530c03
Hayman, G.
c767c64a-8eb5-4415-8af3-55d125730818
Humphrey, V.F.
23c9bd0c-7870-428f-b0dd-5ff158d22590
Wang, L.
ff28fc9d-dbeb-460f-943c-f49997f58bf7
Mumford, S.E.
1fc25c97-6c26-403d-af47-2320f3d0b6d8
Theobald, P.D.
236fc379-85f5-405f-9994-f9b07b14b8fa
Robinson, S.P.
00d341a1-6153-45db-bda4-666928a652e5
Lepper, P.A.
fe6323f8-e7f8-486e-b22e-30fcca530c03
Hayman, G.
c767c64a-8eb5-4415-8af3-55d125730818
Humphrey, V.F.
23c9bd0c-7870-428f-b0dd-5ff158d22590
Wang, L.
ff28fc9d-dbeb-460f-943c-f49997f58bf7
Mumford, S.E.
1fc25c97-6c26-403d-af47-2320f3d0b6d8

Theobald, P.D., Robinson, S.P., Lepper, P.A., Hayman, G., Humphrey, V.F., Wang, L. and Mumford, S.E. (2011) The measurement of underwater noise radiated by dredging vessels during aggregate extraction operations. Fourth International Conference on Underwater Acoustic Measurements, Technologies and Results, Kos, Greece. 20 - 24 Jun 2011.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

The total marine aggregate extracted from the seabed in UK waters can exceed 20 million tonnes each year, and there is a need to understand the noise generated during the extraction process in order to evaluate any potential impact on the marine environment. For aggregate extraction, the type of vessel used is a trailing suction hopper dredger, which lowers a drag head and suction pipe to the sea floor to extract the sand or gravel, depositing it in a hopper on the vessel, whilst returning unwanted material and water over the side of the vessel. There are a number of potential noise generation mechanisms during this type of dredging activity. This paper presents the results of underwater noise measurements for six different dredgers measured in three locations around the UK, with aggregate type varying from sand to coarse gravel. One vessel was measured in two different areas with different aggregate types. The methodology used to derive the source level for the dredgers is described, and the results of an investigation into the origin of the radiated noise are given. Measurements were made at frequencies up to 100 kHz. Noise levels are shown for the same dredger under different operational modes, illustrating that the noise output is partially dependent upon the mode of operation and the aggregate type being extracted.

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More information

Published date: June 2011
Additional Information: Page 763-769 of the proceedings made available to all registered participants on the first day of the conference.
Venue - Dates: Fourth International Conference on Underwater Acoustic Measurements, Technologies and Results, Kos, Greece, 2011-06-20 - 2011-06-24
Keywords: source level, noise, dredging, ansi s12.64.
Organisations: Inst. Sound & Vibration Research

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 195857
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/195857
PURE UUID: 0335d63f-5bf7-4f97-a939-9e03d5962943
ORCID for V.F. Humphrey: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3580-5373

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 31 Aug 2011 08:42
Last modified: 06 Mar 2024 02:40

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Contributors

Author: P.D. Theobald
Author: S.P. Robinson
Author: P.A. Lepper
Author: G. Hayman
Author: V.F. Humphrey ORCID iD
Author: L. Wang
Author: S.E. Mumford

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