Sound source localization technique using a seismic streamer and its extension for whale localization during seismic...

Area of Science:

• Marine acoustics
• Bioacoustics
• Seismic exploration

Background:

• Marine seismic surveys raise concerns regarding marine mammal disturbance and communication interference, particularly for low-frequency baleen whales.
• Current mitigation strategies, including visual and acoustic monitoring, may not detect all animals present.
• There is a need for improved methods to monitor marine mammals during seismic operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a method for localizing low-frequency sound sources, specifically baleen whale vocalizations, using seismic hydrophone streamer data.
• To enhance the effectiveness of mitigation efforts during marine seismic surveys by providing real-time marine mammal detection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized seismic hydrophone streamer data to detect and localize low-frequency sound sources.
• Employed beamforming techniques to estimate the angle of arriving sound energy relative to streamer sub-arrays.
• Applied a grid search method combined with cross-correlation to minimize time residuals for precise sound source localization.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a method to localize low-frequency sound sources using streamer data.
• Validated the simulation and experimental results against data from marine mammal observers and passive acoustic monitoring.
• The proposed method shows potential for improving the detection and location of baleen whales during seismic surveys.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique offers a promising approach to utilize existing seismic survey infrastructure for marine mammal monitoring.
• Integrating this method can significantly enhance the mitigation of potential impacts from seismic surveys on baleen whales.
• Further refinement and implementation could lead to more effective and safer marine seismic operations.