Noise pollution under water: the BluEcho project has begun

BluEcho was launched with a kick-off meeting at the University of Trieste and a boat trip the next day - thanks to the Grignano Barcola Sailing Society, which provided the boat. The project aims to assess underwater noise pollution in various sea basins (Adriatic, North Sea and Baltic Sea). It is based on the guidelines for setting EU limits for continuous man-made noise in water and is intended to extend the work of previous European projects (JOMOPANS, AQUO, SONIC, JONAS, QUIETSEAS). With a multidisciplinary approach, BluEcho focusses on the interaction between source, medium and receiver and not on one-sided solutions.
The aim is to develop a new specific approach for the numerical modelling of propellers and wind turbines and large-scale acoustic maps. Initially, the method developed will be used to accurately assess the current health of the sea. Subsequently, the researchers will focus on predicting new scenarios in which remedial action will be taken. They will also assess the effectiveness and economic feasibility of conservation measures and propose the establishment of new protected areas. The cost-benefit assessment will be carried out taking into account the needs of interested parties, both for shipping and wind farms.

The project is coordinated by the University of Trieste (DIA and DEAMS departments) with the participation of OGS, Chalmers University of Technology - Gothenburg, Sweden, the Institute of Marine Research - Bergen, Norway and the Alfred Wegener Institute - Bremerhaven, Germany.