Greening Blue Energy - BioTools For Business

particular area, scientists recommend that background
noise measurements are obtained in each
area that is being considered for development (e.g.
Wahlberg & Westerberg 2005).
Noise from wind turbines in operation is low in frequency
and intensity, and direct physical damage to
mammals and fish near the plants is highly unlikely
(Wahlberg & Westerberg 2005, Madsen et al. 2006).
A review suggested that potential avoidance behaviour
of fish due to sound pressure would only occur
within four meters of the turbine (Wahlberg &
Westerberg 2005). According to measurements by
Sigray et al. (2009), the particle acceleration created
by wind turbines should not affect fish beyond 1 m
from the turbines, and cod (Gadus morhua), perch
(Perca fluviatilis), flatfish (Pleuronectidae) and salmonoids
(Salmonidae) would not sense the induced
particle acceleration at a distance of 10 m from a
turbine (Sigray et al. 2009). These studies were,
however, limited to frequencies below 20 Hz. Only
decimeters from a wind turbine, the particle velocity
measured was 3.5 times lower than what is suggested
to cause escape responses by roach (Rutilus
rutilus). Experiments (although with considerable
delimitations) and theoretical estimates have, further,
suggested that it is not likely that turbot (Psetta
maxima), flounder (Psetta flesus), roach, perch, and
brown trout (Salmo trutta) would avoid wind turbines,
even at close range (Engell-Sørensen 2002,
Båhmstedt et al. 2009). On the other hand, the use
of sound projectors, producing high levels (0.003-
0.01 m/s-2) and low frequent (