Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SATURN (Solutions @ Underwater Radiated Noise) Reporting period: 2021-02-01 to 2022-07-31 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project There are gaps in knowledge of how underwater sound can be detrimental to individual animals and whole populations; of the sounds that could have most negative impact; of the mechanisms of sound production, and of the technologies or measures that could best reduce the most detrimental sounds. The SATURN consortium brings together experts in bioacoustics; population biology; marine mammal, fish and invertebrate biology; maritime architecture and engineering; shipping; maritime policy; stakeholder engagement and science communication to address : a.The sounds that are most detrimental to aquatic species and how they are produced and propagated; b.The short-term and cumulative long-term negative impacts of noise from shipping and boats on three representative groups of aquatic species in rivers and the sea (invertebrates, fish and marine mammals); c.The most promising options for measuring and reducing the negative impacts of ship noise that can be applied to current and future vessels. SATURN will develop and contribute to the establishment of standards for terminology and methodology to be used across all disciplines working on underwater radiated noise, and will also establish an effective community of researchers, practitioners, competent authorities, maritime operators, shipping/offshore/naval industries, and NGOs. Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far The main SATURN areas of work are: 1. Identifying ways to enable standardisation; 2. Understanding the impact of underwater radiated noise (URN) on aquatic organisms; 3. Demonstrate and assess solutions to mitigate effects of ship noise, 4. Dissemination outreach and communication of the project, and 5. Stakeholder engagement, exploitation and policy support. We have thus far focused on gaining a more in-depth understanding of how URN can be addressed across: policy and standardisation, to understanding implications on marine wildlife, to furthering the technological challenges, and finally communicating outputs and preliminary findings to a broader audience. JASCO DE is leading the developments around Standardisation – acoustic metrics were identified, recipes and pseudo-code produced and synthetic ship sound signals enabling bioacoustics playback studies were produced. This formed the basis of a Working Draft (ISO/WD 17208-3) and a formal Committee Draft (ISO/CD 17208-3), and informed our field monitoring efforts. Two drafts of a terminology standard for aquatic bioacoustics and ship acoustics were developed, and vital preparatory work for URN tests undertaken. A report titled “Sound particle motion mapping” was delivered and additional verification work on sound particle models produced. Benchmarks for multiple scenarios for shallow water sound propagation were presented at ICUA 2022 with journal publication to follow. TNO deployed a particle motion measurement rig at a N.Sea location, 2.5 km from Scheveningen port. To understand the impact of URN on aquatic organisms, technology was prototyped to assess the effects of PM and acoustic pressure on invertebrates. Recordings were logged for natural soundscapes of fish migratory pathways at two case areas, in the Rhine and Grift-Eeem watersystems. Construction and testing of the Migradrome is underway and is expected online before end of 2022. Impacts of URN on the behaviour and energetics of marine mammals were quantified e.g. including the tagging of 4 porpoises and 6 seals with D-tags, data processing is ongoing. A new labelling protocol for inner ears was optimised and material analysed for 28 individual seals and porpoises, and circa 30 individuals from other spp. A database of 30 years investigations of dead and live porpoises and seals in the North and Baltic Sea has been analysed. Primer pair techniques (126bp product size) for quantification of the gene transcript level of prestin in marine mammals using Real Time-qPCR and initial primer tests related to endocrine functioning were completed. Demonstration and assessment of solutions to mitigate effects of ship noise was initiated. Tools and knowledge ready to be applied for design of mitigation solutions was completed. Making use of this reference, the impact on acoustic source level and population efficiency of replacing the standard propeller of a twin-screw vessel with retrofitted pump jet system was evaluated. Additionally, the demonstration and evaluation of the mitigation potential of a non-conventional propulsor system. Detailed experimental studies were completed to study the noise by the interaction of the propeller tip and hub vortex. A literature study on the effect of propeller noise in off-design conditions was started. Computations to study the effect of ship manoeuvring on propeller cavitation noise were performed. The work concerning the further development of numerical and experimental prediction methods for the source level of propulsors is well underway. High-fidelity tools for the diagnostics of URN sources have been developed and applied. The ship and propeller hull for the evaluation of a propeller retrofit by a pumpjet was selected and modeled in CAD, and the design of the pumpjet prepared. Model tests with air bubbles were prepared using a hull model. The bubble injection systems below the ship hull and into the propeller disc were designed and successfully tested as was a system to measure the bubble spectrum. The model tests on the lake to evaluate the trochoidal propulsor were prepared: the ship model and propulsor were manufactured and measurement equipment was collected.The project’s communication strategy and dissemination plan was delivered. The SATURN website has been deployed and social media accounts linked to the delivery of the communication strategy have been deployed. The SATURN logo, PowerPoint template, and poster template have been circulated . The first of 4 factsheets was delivered, as were the first project newsletter, and short film. A deliverable titled “Synthesis of EU and joint monitoring programs”. together with a scientific paper “A decade of underwater noise research in support of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive” in the Journal of Ocean and Coastal Management was delivered by CEFAS. The work on identifying and engaging the stakeholder group (SSG) has progressed well, the SSG includes 78 entities. Preparatory work on the SATURN virtual research environment (VRE) has progressed well. Internal workshops informed the consortium members and consulted with them on scoping key attributes of the system design, architecture and operational characteristics leading to the VRE requirements and architecture was delivered. URLs were defined and the PLOCAN servers set and initial inputs from partners received. Progress on the development of mitigation scenarios and effects includes completion of methodology, and input data for sound modelling and species distributions compiled and preparatory processing undertaken. Progress was also made on updating the MSP tool. Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far) In general, progress beyond the state of the art has been in line with expectations as described in the DOA. Key milestones were attained, and deliverables produced either on schedule or with minor non-consequential delays. No significant risks have been identified that threaten the effective attainment of project impacts/societal implications at this time. This is due to the high level of dedication and strong collaborative and mutually supportive ethos evident throughout the consortium. saturn-msp-data-screening-methodology.jpg
