Ambient, Industrial and Biological Sounds Recorded in the Northern Bering, Eastern Chukchi and Alaskan Beaufort Seas during the Seasonal Migrations of the Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus), 1979-1982

摘要

Magnetic tape recordings made during the spring and fall bowhead whale migration (1979-82) were analyzed for ambient, industrial and biological sound content. A logarithmic average of measured ambient noise level in the 500 Hz band ranged from 65 dB to 77 dB, with no significant difference (p < 0.20) between seasons. The effect of local sea state, ice coverage and depth on measured ambient level was analyzed via multiple regression, with sea state emerging as the dominant correlate in the narrowband and broadband analyses of a single-region sample. Industrial noise from aircraft, small and large vessels, seismic airguns and pipe driving sounds were measured off sound spectrums and classified by source.