Puget Sound Ambient Noise and its Relation to the Ecology of Marine Mammals

Peter Dahl, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington

R/Ac-15

This project will characterize underwater ambient noise in Puget Sound, focusing on the acoustic environment to which marine mammals — in particular, Washington’s endangered Southern Resident killer whale population — are exposed.  Researchers will make acoustic measurements with a hydrophone (underwater microphone) deployed on the Puget Sound seabed. These data will be interpreted with respect to environmental conditions and noise contributions associated with commercial shipping and recreational boating.  This work will further our knowledge of ambient noise in habitats of endangered and other sensitive species, while providing better tools for the management of the marine environment.