2025_programme: Underwater noise level of munitions explosions and its potential impact on the behaviour of marine animals in the Puck Bay, Baltic Sea

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  • Day: June 17, Tuesday
      Location / Time: C. THALIA at 15:10-15:30
  • Last minutes changes: -
  • Session: 22. Underwater noise in the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive: implementation, monitoring, assessment and measures
    Organiser(s): Peter Sigray, Aristides Prospathopoulos, Emmanuel Skarsoulis
    Chairperson(s): Aristides Prospathopoulos, Emmanuel Skarsoulis
  • Lecture: Underwater noise level of munitions explosions and its potential impact on the behaviour of marine animals in the Puck Bay, Baltic Sea
    Paper ID: 2313
    Author(s): Aleksandra Malecha-Łysakowska, Jarosław Tęgowski, Wenesa Dylewska, Radomił Koza, Iwona Pawliczka vel Pawlik
    Presenter: Aleksandra Malecha-Łysakowska
    Abstract: The work concerns a study of the propagation of underwater noise generated by five cases of detonation of unexploded munitions, each weighing 600 kg TNT, left over from World War II, on the bottom of the Puck Bay, a Natura 2000 protected area. Measurements were made using hydrophones with a sensitivity of -165 db re 1V/µPa mounted on hydroacoustic recorders located 1.5 m above the bottom at distances of about 10.5 km and 15 km from the detonation sites. The aim of the study was to understand the impact of detonation noise on the marine environment, with a particular focus on the reactions of marine animals. Based on the collected data, the SEL (Sound Exposure Level) at the hydrophone locations was calculated, with values ranging from 140 to 152 dB. In addition, the propagation of underwater noise in the waters of the Bay of Puck was modeled, and the results were compared with the hearing ranges and known response thresholds of species such as harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), harbour seal (Phoca vitulina), Baltic herring (Clupea harengus), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus) to assess how these animals may respond to specific noise levels. The results of the study provide important information for biodiversity conservation in the Puck Bay Natura 2000 area, highlighting the potential risks associated with impulsive acoustic pollution of the marine ecosystem.
  • Corresponding author: Ms Aleksandra Malecha-Łysakowska
    Affiliation: University of Gdansk
    Country: Poland

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