Sweden: Nord Stream Marginally Increased Underwater Noise Levels
Nord Stream has announced the completion and publishing of a study on the underwater noise levels created as a result of the Nord Stream pipeline at the Natura 2000 area at Norra Midsjöbanken in Sweden.
The study, which was conducted from January to April of this year, found that the Nord Stream pipeline's construction in the Swedish waters raised ambient noise levels underwater slightly, but no more than a commercial vessel would when passing by.
The report was commissioned to investigate the sound effects of the construction of the pipeline, which can have an effect on aquatic life, including fish and other sea creatures, which rely upon sound to navigate. The Nord Stream consortium and the Swedish Nature Protection Agency funded the study, which was in turn carried out by the Swedish Defence Research Agency.
As well as proving the construction of Nord Stream to be safe for the marine life in terms of sound levels in the area, the study will also contribute to the overall knowledge of noise levels and the resultant impact on sea life.
"We have been able to apply our unique competence within marine environment research in order to successfully conduct measurements in an area in the middle of the Baltic Sea," Researcher in underwater acoustics with the Swedish Defence Reserach Agency, Torbjörn Johansson, said today. "During the study, we have developed new methods of analysis for the purpose of measuring underwater noise levels as well as noise from commercial maritime shipping."
Nord Stream says that this contribution to the research area as well as the vindication of its practices has been very welcome.
"We are very pleased to be able to contribute to the improved knowledge concerning the underwater noise levels at Norra Midsjöbanken, a Natura 2000 area situated fairly close to a route with intense maritime traffic," Head of Permitting for Nord Stream in Sweden and Denmark, says Nicklas Andersson, said.
"At the same time, we have been able to verify the assessments from Nord Stream Environmental Study – the corner stone of our application to the Swedish government to construct the natural gas pipeline."