Spatial Variations in the Acoustic Peak Pressure of Impulsive Low Frequency Anthropogenic Signals in Underwater Marine Environments

Abstract

A method to predict spatial variations in the peak pressure level of impulsive low frequency anthropogenic signal propagating in marine environments is presented. The method is based on the correlation between the peak pressure level and the sound exposure level, and the application of extreme value theory to estimate fluctuations of the peak pressure around its mean value in varying ocean environments. The method was examined using signals from offshore seismic surveys and pile driving.