Prediction of Drilling Site-Specific Interaction of Industrial Acoustic Stimuli and Endangered Whales in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea

摘要

Field measurements and an analytical study were performed during this two year project investigating potential responsiveness of bowhead and gray whales to underwater sounds associated with offshore oil drilling sites in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea. The underwater acoustic environment and sound propagation characteristics at six offshore sites were measured during the summer of 1985 and 1986. Tables of zones of responsiveness are presented for all sources and sites considered as well as a discussion of zone variability with changes in environmental conditions and site specific considerations.