Correlation between Underwater Noise and Sea Level at Ieodo Ocean Research Station

Abstract

To investigate the correlation between underwater noise and sea level, data collected at Ieodo Ocean Research Station (from 15 May to 27 August 2013) were analyzed. Temporal variations in the overall level of underwater noise were similar to those in sea level. The average underwater noise levels at frequencies below 50 Hz were 99.0–106.6 dB during spring tides and 78.4–90.2 dB during neap tides, with a difference of 12.6–20.6 dB. When low-pass filtering at six hours was applied to the absolute value of sea level, a high correlation coefficient of 0.7 for its association with underwater noise was obtained. This strong correlation could indicate flow noise caused by currents. Underwater noise levels around the frequency of 16 Hz were relatively strongly correlated with sea level (correlation coefficient of 0.71). Wavelet analysis of the overall level of underwater noise showed strong periodicity at 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 16.0, and 30.0 days, as well as characteristics of a tidal constituent. In wavelet coherence analysis, the overall level at a period of 0.25 days exhibited a phase difference of −90 degrees relative to sea level. This finding indicates that the noise level peaks at 1.5 h before the high tide or low tide, which was confirmed in the correlation analysis of noise level and sea height with various time lags. This study shows that the overall level of underwater noise from ebb currents is higher than that from flood currents due to differences in current velocity.