Dear All,
the following article has just been published in Marine Technology Society
Journal
Underwater Noise Pollution From Munitions Clearance and Disposal, Possible
Effects on Marine Vertebrates, and Its Mitigation, Sven Koschinski. Marine
Technology Society Journal, November/December 2011, Volume 45, Number 6, pp.
80-88
Abstract:
Underwater detonations have the potential for serious injury in marine
vertebrates such as fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. The high detonation
velocity creates a shock wave. The main reason for injury is the extremely
short signal rise time combined with a high overpressure. A negative pressure
phase generating cavitation shortly after the peak overpressure can increase
organ and tissue damage. Due to surface reflection generating a reversed phase
replica of the detonation this phenomenon is very pronounced in shallow waters.
Organs most seriously affected by detonations are those with gas/tissue
interfaces (e.g., ears, lungs, swim bladders, air sacs, intestines). Observed
injuries include disruption of cells and tissues by differential displacement,
internal bleeding, embolism and auditory damage. Further, the compression of
the thorax by the shock wave initiates a rapid increase in blood pressure which
can cause damage in the brain and ears. In order to protect marine life all
possible attempts should be made to avoid underwater detonations. For
detonations which cannot be avoided due to safety considerations, a number of
mitigation measures are presented including bubble curtains, scaring devices,
visual and acoustic monitoring, seasonal and spatial planning. However,
mitigation measures have varying degrees of efficiency. Low-order detonations
are not a real alternative due to the release of toxic munitions constituents
to the environment. For each detonation, a proper site- and munitions-specific
risk assessment and mitigation strategy must be developed.
This article is in the first volume of a 2- volume special editition "Legacy
Underwater Munitions: Assessment, Evaluation of Impacts, and Potential Response
Technologies". Part 1 of this 2 volume edition can be purchased at:
https://www.mtsociety.org/publications/. Part 2 is soon to follow.
For pdf reprints of only the article itself, e-mail to [email protected]
The Marine Technology Society is a not-for-profit, international, professional
association. Founded in 1963, the Society believes that the advancement of
marine technology and the productive, sustainable use of the oceans depend upon
the active exchange of ideas between government, industry and academia. See
www.mtsociety.org.
Dipl. Biol. Sven Koschinski
Kühlandweg 12
24326 Nehmten
Germany
Tel. ++49-(0)4526-381716
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