• Specialty

  Noise / Vibration
  

• SECTOR

  Energy / Power
  

• TYPE

  Environmental Study
  Permitting / Compliance
  

• CLIENTELE

  Federal Government
  

• TIMESPAN

  2012

• LOCATION

  Boston, MA

Underwater Sound Monitoring for Boston Harbor Blasting

SERVICE:

Underwater Sound Study for compliance with NMFS

DESCRIPTION:

­The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is blasting rock pinnacles (navigational hazards) in the South Channel of Boston Harbor. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has guidelines to protect marine mammals that use the acoustic energy flux density. Level A and B guidelines range from 177 to 205 dB re 1 µPa2-sec. Using a custom-designed deep water B&K Model 8104 hydrophone with a B&K Model 2250 sound analyzer, Tech Environmental took measurements during three large blasting events to establish EFD levels and marine mammal exclusion zones for on-going underwater demolition activities.

 

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Key Points

• Tech's quick-response acoustic monitoring allowed the demolition contractors clearing navigational hazards in Boston Harbor to stay on a tight time schedule dictated by the Army Corps of Engineers.