Ambient Sea Noise at Low Frequencies in Shallow Water of the Scotian Shelf

Ambient sea-noise data in the frequency range 8.4-3100 cps were collected for a one-year period, using two bottomed hydrophones in 20- and 28-f (fathom) water depths on the Scotian Shelf. The relative spectral-energy distribution of the sea noise is presented for a number of wind speeds. Linear relations between the sea-noise spectrum levels and the logarithm of wind speed were found over the entire frequency region, but the slopes were markedly frequency-dependent. A seasonal variation of noise level that was independent of frequency was observed, the noise levels at the same wind speeds being higher during the winter months. There were no significant differences in the results from the two hydrophones, except below 43.7 cps where the sea-noise levels were 2–3 dB higher at the 20-f hydrophone. The results are compared with those of other studies of sea noise.