Research Spotlight: New Publication on Particle Motion
Low-frequency sources of underwater sound generate both pressure and particle motion components. To date, underwater noise research has largely focused on investigating the impacts of acoustic pressure on marine animals, specifically marine mammals. However, all fish and many aquatic invertebrates are sensitive to acoustic particle motion, making it an important topic for understanding potential environmental effects of underwater noise from marine energy systems.
Joe Haxel, an acoustic scientist and principal investigator for Triton, and Triton Fish Biologist Garrett Staines recently co-authored a paper in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America entitled, “Marine energy converters: Potential acoustic effects on fishes and aquatic invertebrates.” The paper stems from a 2022 Triton workshop of subject matter experts and regulators and introduces acoustic particle motion and substrate vibration in the context of marine energy converters. It also explores how these acoustic phenomena can be used to better inform underwater noise effects on fish and invertebrates. The authors provide an analysis of major data gaps in understanding of acoustic particle motion from marine energy converters and possible effects from the animals’ perspective. Additionally, they provide recommendations for research needs to advance knowledge about acoustic particle motion disturbance and potential effects. Read the paper!
Learn more about Triton’s acoustic particle motion research here.
Video: Tethered Balloon Systems for Marine Wildlife Detection and Tracking
The Triton team is leading a session at the 2024 Ocean Science Meeting entitled “ED011 - Making Waves with Communication: Approaches to Communication, Outreach, and Engagement for Ocean Sciences.” This session invites participants to engage in a series of presentations where science communication professionals, researchers, and industry stakeholders will discuss strategies and needs related to communication and outreach in ocean sciences. Participants will share lessons learned, examine opportunities to build impact, and explore ways to evaluate the successes of science communication efforts for marine and ocean-related topics.
The conference will be held February 18–24, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Abstract submissions are open now through September 13, 2023. Submit an abstract to the session here.
In Other Energy News: Marine Energy Adventure Game on Collision Risk
Collision risk, primarily of fish interacting with underwater turbines, continues to be a significant concern for permitting marine energy devices. To help educate audiences about collision risks associated with tidal and riverine turbines, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers developed the educational game called, “Marine Energy Adventure: Collision Risk”. This interactive experience explores the stages of collision risks to help users understand what fish might experience when encountering a tidal or riverine turbine. You can start your adventure here.
In addition to this unique collision risk experience, you can visit the Marine Renewable Energy Educational Resources page to learn more about environmental effects of marine energy, listen to the latest webinars, and check out other diverse resources to learn more about marine energy.
OES-Environmental Releases Guidance Documents
As marine energy advances, concerns about potential impacts to marine species and habitats continue to be a prescient topic. Ocean Energy Systems – Environmental has compiled a set of documents for easy access to scientific information about environmental stressors tailored for regulators, advisors, and other stakeholders in the marine energy community. You can see the guidance resources by stressor and country here.
PNNL and the Marine Technology Society Host the 15th Buoy Workshop
The Marine Technology Society and PNNL are coming together to host the 15th Buoy Workshop, to be held at PNNL-Sequim in May 2024. This workshop convenes technicians and engineers from around the world with expertise in buoys, ocean observations, mooring designs, marine technology, ecosystems monitoring, and ocean data acquisition and processing. Find more information about the workshop here.
Triton is designed to support the development and testing of more precise and cost-effective environmental monitoring technologies for marine energy. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory leads Triton on behalf of the Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office.
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