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Ref.: accepted in MTS/IEEE Oceans'2015, Genova (Italy), May 2015.
Abstract:
Underwater noise is a form of pollution causing significant concern in terms of environmental
status. Shipping is considered the main contributor to the total noise at the global scale,
since ship radiated noise can propagate up to tens or hundreds of kilometre. This
paper reports on a shipping noise prediction tool based on Automatic Identification System
(AIS) data and a normal-modes acoustic propagation code. The tool is set up with realistic
environmental information and continuously fed with AIS data, as to periodically produce
an instantaneous picture of noise level due to point noise sources present in the area under
observation. This produces a time series, that is used for statistical post-processing in
order to obtain statistical indicators for a meaningful noise assessment. As a case study,
experimental results are reported for a regional observation area in Portuguese waters, off
the Southwest coast of Portugal, crossed by heavy shipping routes. Shipping noise maps
are generated for a AIS data collected over a 9 month interval. Although the results are yet
to be validated, this exercise illustrates that a great deal of meaningful information on noise
distribution can be obtained by means of a noise prediction tool based on AIS data.