Bagočius, D.
Underwater noise generated by the detonation of historical
ordnance in the Baltic Sea, Lithuania: potential ecological impacts on marine
life
The removal of ordnance and ammunition followed by high
levels of impulsive noise is implemented yearly in the Lithuanian area of the
Baltic Sea. During the international naval exercise Open Spirit (Summer 2013),
an acoustical survey (using submersible cable hydrophone) was conducted in
order to measure the underwater impulsive noise levels produced by controlled
detonation and to assess their potential ecological impacts. The findings
indicate a high noise energy level of explosions having a particularly small
weight of charges, reaching up to 190 dB (in low-frequency bands) and
theoretical estimations of the initial shock wave of 276 dB.