Monitoring Sea Surface Processes Using the High Frequency Ambient Sound Field

To make passive acoustic monitoring of the marine environment an accepted quantitative tool for measuring sea surface conditions (wind speed, rainfall and sea state), monitoring for the presence and identity of marine wildlife (especially whales), and monitoring anthropogenic activities including shipping, sonar and other industrial activities. By establishing a methodology for describing the sound budget for a location, including the quasi-steady sound levels from the sea surface and the frequency and intensity of transient sounds from marine wildlife and human activities (close and distant shipping, sonar activities, other acoustic “beacons”, etc.), a baseline of information for making decisions regarding additional human activities, in particular Naval operations using active sonars, will become available. This decision aid is needed to understand the perceived affect of sound-producing activities, in particular, Naval operations and research activities, on the marine environment.