Characterizing the underwater soundscape at the site of a proposed port in northeast Iceland

Finnafjörður is a small fjord in northeast Iceland, where the planned construction of a large port has the potential to meaningfully change the marine soundscape and ecosystem. In this study, we used one year (2021/22) of passive acoustic recordings to characterize the pre-construction soundscape, i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2024-12, Vol.209 (Pt A), p.117072, Article 117072
Main Authors: Laute, Amelie, Grove, Thomas J., Stoller, Alyssa M., Smith, Adam, Fournet, Michelle E.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Animals
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Estuaries
Iceland
Noise
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM)
Port
Sound
Sound exposure levels (SEL)
Sound pressure levels (SPL)
Soundscape
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Summary:Finnafjörður is a small fjord in northeast Iceland, where the planned construction of a large port has the potential to meaningfully change the marine soundscape and ecosystem. In this study, we used one year (2021/22) of passive acoustic recordings to characterize the pre-construction soundscape, including broadband and decidecade sound pressure levels (SPL), frequency-weighted sound exposure levels, seasonal and diel variability and identified regular types of sound. Finnafjörður is relatively quiet with median decidecade levels centered between 25 Hz and 50 kHz of 74.5 to 86.3 dB re 1 μPa. Wind and rain dominate ambient SPL, while anthropogenic sources only occasionally contributed to the soundscape. Regular biological sound sources include humpback whales, toothed whales, and fish. This baseline soundscape description can be used for noise management during port construction, to monitor future changes in the region, and to act as a framework for comprehensive impact assessments as ports are developed globally. [Display omitted] •Underwater soundscape description before port construction in Finnafjörður, Iceland•Quantification of broadband and decidecade SPLs, SELs, and sound source analysis•Finnafjörður is relatively quiet (median 100.6 dBRMS (11–64,000 Hz) re 1 μPa).•The sounds of wind and rain are the major contributor to the soundscape.•Biological sound sources include humpback whales, toothed whales, and fish.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117072