Noise dose for aquatic animals: Preliminary estimates for two seismic surveys. (A)

Abstract

In humans, a daily noise dose is defined and used to regulate noise exposure in the working environment. This is an integrated measure of sound intensity over the working day, typically 8 h in duration. When investigating behavioral effects on aquatic animals exposed to anthropogenic noise, a comparable measure would be valuable, especially when transient but powerful underwater noise sources such as seismic air-guns and mid- and low-frequency sonars are being used or are being considered for use. Here, an integrated noise dose measure is defined. Preliminary estimates of this noise-dose measure are given for two different seismic surveys.