Theoretical determination of the long term contributions to ambient noise levels from offshore wind farm construction

Marine pile driving during offshore wind farm construction may increase the anthropogenic component of ocean ambient noise and has led to increasing concerns regarding its effects on the marine fauna (receptors)1. In the case of many static offshore developments two commonly used foundation techniques are tripod and jacket constructions involving installation of a series of smaller diameter piles surrounding a central structure and mono-piles using a single larger diameter pile. Pile installation itself may involve sequences of percussive piling at different hammer energies, vibro-piling (more rapid, lower level vibrations) and drilling. In some cases all three techniques are used on a single pile installation, with the construction phase lasting several hours for each pile, and with perhaps 50 - 100 turbine supports in a typical windfarm development