Continuous monitoring of noise levels in the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea). Study of correlation with ship traffic.

Acoustic noise levels were measured in the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea) from July 2012 to May 2013 by a low frequency (< 1000 Hz) hydrophone, installed on board the NEMO-SN1 multidisciplinary observatory. NEMOSN1 is a cabled node of EMSO-ERIC, which was deployed at a water depth of 2100 m, 25 km off Catania. The study area is characterized by the proximity of mid-size harbors and shipping lanes. Measured noise levels were correlated with the passage of ships tracked with a dedicated AIS antenna. Noise power was measured in the frequency range between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz. Experimental data were compared with the results of a fast numerical model based on AIS data to evaluate the contribution of shipping noise in six consecutive 1/3 octave frequency bands, including the 1/3 octave frequency bands centered at 63 Hz and 125 Hz, indicated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC).