Acoustic Pollution Research Articles

Using LOT methodology to develop a noise pollution ontology: a Spanish use case

Local administrations generate large quantities of data due to the processes followed to attend administrative governance issues and the needs of its citizenry. Sadly, in most cases this data is not fully exploited and remains within the institutions, making their reutilization very difficult. Currently, open data initiatives have gained ground worldwide and more cities are taking advantage of adopting an open data strategy, which are visible at the organizational level and at user level. In this respect, there is a need to generate guidelines that allow cities: (a) to identify datasets to be shared, for example pollution, commercial premises, public services, etc. and (b) to publish quality data on their portals. Data should be accurate and interoperable among cities to facilitate reuse. This work describes the development process of an ontology to represent the acoustic pollution data collected by measurement stations located in cities, providing a common model for data publication. The developed ontology reuses several well-known ontologies and includes classes, properties and instances specifically created to cover this domain. This work also includes real examples about how to instantiate the ontology.

Can You Hear Me Later and Believe Me Now? Behavioral Law and Economics of Chronic Repeated Ambient Acoustic Pollution Causing Noise-Induced (Hidden) Hearing Loss

This Article analyzes the public health issues of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and Noise-Induced Hidden Hearing Loss (NIHHL) due to Chronic Repeated Ambient Acoustic Pollution (CRAAP). This Article examines the clinical and empirical medical data about NIHL and NIHHL and its normative implications. This Article applies behavioral law and economics and information economics to advocate legal policies to reduce CRAAP. Finally, this Article advocates changing individual and social attitudes about deafness and hearing loss to raise political awareness and social consciousness about NIHL and NIHHL. One way to change our attitudes is by practicing empathy and kindness, including loving kindness mindfulness (LKM) meditation.

Site fidelity and movement patterns of short‐finned pilot whales within the Canary Islands: Evidence for resident and transient populations

Abstract The geographic location and oceanographic, physical, and chemical water properties make the Canary Islands one of the planet's biodiversity hotspots. The short‐finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) is one of the archipelago's most commonly encountered species and is potentially vulnerable to a range of anthropogenic pressures, including habitat degradation, acoustic pollution, fishing, whale‐watching operations, and shipping. Assessment of impact has not been possible because of a lack of even basic information about occurrence and distribution. Spatial and temporal distributions, ranging behaviour, and residence patterns of short‐finned pilot whales were explored for the first time using survey and photo‐identification data collected in the Canary Islands between 1999 and 2012. In total, 1,081 pilot whale sightings were recorded during 70,620 km of search effort over 1,782 survey days. Pilot whales were detected year round and distributed non‐uniformly within the archipelago, with greater densities concentrated in patchy areas mainly on the leeward side of the main islands. In total, 1,320 well‐marked individuals were identified, which exhibited a large degree of variability in site fidelity. Different but not isolated subpopulations of pilot whales that share ranges and maintain social interactions were apparently present in the Canary Islands. Strong evidence of an island‐associated subpopulation was found, with a group of 50 ‘core resident’ individuals associated particularly with Tenerife. There were also ‘transient’ individuals or temporary migrants, which, probably driven by inter‐ and intra‐specific competition, may travel long distances whilst using the archipelago as part of a larger range. These findings fill a major gap in the knowledge of this species’ occurrence, distribution, movements, and site fidelity in the archipelago and provide much needed data to allow the initiation of informed conservation assessments and management actions.

Influence of environmental, social and behavioural variables on the whistling of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Bottlenose dolphin communication has been studied extensively. Nevertheless, the combined effect of several variables on whistle structure has yet to be clearly understood. Here, we investigated the influence of underwater noise, boat presence, behaviour, group size and calf presence on the whistles of a small population of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Surface behaviour and acoustic data were collected in Sardinia (Italy-Western Mediterranean Sea) between 2015 and 2017. Whistle frequency parameters (minimum, maximum, start, end frequencies and frequency range), duration, number of inflection points and number of harmonics were correlated with the ambient noise levels recorded prior to the whistle display and to behavioural and social factors by means of GAM models. Whistle frequencies varied as a function of the interaction between noise and boat presence, mainly when the noise increased at lower frequencies. Dolphin whistles also varied according to group size, which was further affected by the presence of calves, and behaviours characterised by high levels of arousal such as feeding. The study provides sufficient evidence to support that multiple factors need to be considered when investigating whistle structure as the species is capable of adopting different strategies depending on environmental, social and behavioural context. Finally, this data indicates that communication within a small population of bottlenose dolphins is vulnerable to acoustic pollution, thereby highlighting the need for further investigation into the effects of different noises on whistle structure, as well as the consistency of patterns across different populations. Exploring a dolphin’s ability to adapt its communication to environmental context is crucial to understanding the consequences of ocean noise increase, especially in highly anthroposised areas such as the Mediterranean Sea. This is one of the few studies that investigate how noise and boat traffic affect bottlenose dolphin whistles whilst considering the concomitant effect of other variables such as behaviour, group size and composition. We demonstrated that dolphins vary their whistles as a function of increasing noise and boat presence, group size and calf presence, and during specific behaviour which requires intense contact between individuals. Finally, the results showed that other variables should be considered to fully understand those which influence whistle structure and adaptability.

Does environmental noise affect housing rental prices in developing countries? Evidence from Ecuador

Environmental noise is defined as an unwanted sound which could be generated by anthropogenic activities (for instance industrial or commercial activities), the transit of engine vehicles and melodies at high volume. When these noises are played at the same time and during extended periods, they might cause health issues. As such, excessive environmental noise causes what is known as acoustic pollution. The effects of environmental noise on the housing rental price have been widely studied in developed countries; however, there are no similar studies in developing countries. The main reason for this is the lack of public information about environmental noise levels since the governments of turn have shown little interest in this type of data. On the other hand, measuring the level of noise is a complex and expensive procedure, which has prevented the researchers of the area from studying its effects. For this reason, following the technical recommendations of the Unified Text of the Secondary Legislation of the Ministry of Environment (TULSMA, for its acronym in Spanish), we gathered primary information about the level of environmental noise in Machala, one of the most important cities in Ecuador, which has experienced a great surge of economic growth in the last years. Our results show that per each unitary increment of the level of noise (dB) of the sector where the residence is located, its price diminishes on average in 1.97%. This result is useful for policymakers since the estimated economic value can be used as a reference to undertaking public projects destined to fight this problem. We also evidenced, that sectors with a higher level of noise are at downtown, reaching levels higher than 78 decibels (dB). This result is explained since at downtown the greatest commercial activity of the city is concentrated, as well as a great vehicular flow, where the drivers use excessively the car horn. Furthermore, the situation is aggravated due to the establishment of informal businesses in certain streets, which causes an increment in the noise level. We contribute to the literature evidencing that environmental noise is also a problem for developing countries; in addition, given the lack of information on noise levels in this type of countries, our research provides a clear and precise guide so that future research can raise noise data in other locations of interest.

Numerical modeling of aeroacoustic characteristics of different savonius blade profiles

Purpose This study aims to carry out numerical modeling to predict aerodynamic noise radiation from four different Savonius rotor blade profile. Design/methodology/approach Incompressible unsteady reynolds-averaged navier-stokes (URANS) approach using gamma–theta turbulence model is conducted to obtain the time accurate turbulent flow field. The Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings (FW-H) acoustic analogy formulation is used for noise predictions at optimal tip speed ratio (TSR). Findings The mean torque and power coefficients are compared with the experimental data and acceptable agreement is observed. The total and Mono+Dipole noise graphs are presented. A discrete tonal component at low frequencies in all graphs is attributed to the blade passing frequency at the given TSR. According to the noise prediction results, Bach type rotor has the lowest level of noise emission. The effect of TSR on the noise level from the Bach rotor is investigated. A direct relation between angular velocity and the noise emission is found. Practical implications The savonius rotor is a type of vertical axis wind turbines suited for mounting in the vicinity of residential areas. Also, wind turbines wherein operation are efficient sources of tonal and broadband noises and affect the inhabitable environment adversely. Therefore, the acoustic pollution assessment is essential for the installation of wind turbines in residential areas. Originality/value This study aims to investigate the radiated noise level of four common Savonius rotor blade profiles, namely, Bach type, Benesh type, semi-elliptic and conventional. As stated above, numbers of studies exploit the URANS method coupled with the FW-H analogy to predict the aeroacoustics behavior of wind turbines. Therefore, this approach is chosen in this research to deal with the aeroacoustics and aerodynamic calculation of the flow field around the aforementioned Savonius blade profiles. The effect of optimal TSR on the emitted noise and the contribution of thickness, loading and quadrupole sources are of interest in this study.

Technological innovation in the design process of an acoustic panel to the hospital environment

Acoustic pollution has become a global problem, but, having negative effects on the health and well-being of people, it becomes a variable to control in hospital environments. That is why this article presents the design of a panel with noise reduction properties and with characteristics that allow to replace the restrictions of the hospital environment, through the concepts of Home Warmth and Patient Safety as fundamental bases to limit the problem. The design exercise uses the VDI 2221 model and the problem / solution symmetry model in order to restrict the design and refine it without losing sight of the context for which the panel is designed. As a result, a design of the structure is obtained that later goes on to a stage of improvement of details, in which characteristics associated to the materials, production processes and other additional characteristics are defined.

Analysis of the Acoustically Noise Situation in an Urbanized Area in the Presence of Vehicular and Industrial Noise

Acoustic noise is now becoming one of the important problems of the technosphere. The source of such noise in the streets of large cities is mainly motor transport, as well as industrial enterprises located in the city and construction sites. In the report some results of monitoring of acoustic pollution of the big industrially developed cities (on the example of the city of Murom) are considered. Monitoring is carried out with the help of a combined ecology-meteorological system. The measurement errors due to the standard octave analysis procedure with a control at central weighted frequencies are analyzed. It is shown that the application of the full spectral analysis using the fast Fourier transform allows us to compensate for these errors. The features of the construction of the measuring channel used in the monitoring procedure are considered. Some results of analysis of the spectrum and levels of acoustic noise on the streets of the city at different periods of the day are given. It is shown that in the most heavily loaded areas of the city, combining the activity of traffic flows and the functioning of industrial enterprises, the maximum values of sound pressure level of acoustic noise can reach 100 dB. Both maximum and average values of sound pressure are analyzed from the point of view of their compliance with the current sanitary norms. The conclusion is made that the actual noise levels exceed the maximum permissible levels for open spaces.

DESIGN OF PASSENDGER SHELDER CONSTRUCTIONS WITH NOISE-PROTECTIVE FUNCTION OF URBAN ENVIRONMENT

Negative influence for agglomeration ecological safety are modern growth of the cities, increase in population density, intensification of automobile transportations. The urban environment everything more becomes subject to the acoustic pollution of road traffic. Negative influence of this type of pollution on a hu-man body is conventional and is shown in the big range of influences. For example the Concept of complica-tion offered by A. Chic, which reflects subjective psychological feelings from the acoustic pollution of road traffic in the city and beyond its. The existing methods of fight against auto transportation noise is ineffectively or sometimes unaccepta-bly in the developed living area. The most acoustic pollution sites in urban environment are the locations of public transport stop points. Recommendations for design of PSC taking into account their shielding effect for the purpose of decrease acoustic pollution are developed. Possibilities of the developed computer program for design of PSC with noise-protective characteristics concerning object of a noise-protective are reflected in this work. The problem of optimization of PSC tech-nical parameters for the purpose of increase of level of security of an urban environment from the acoustic pollution of road traffic is solved. Nomograms for determination of optimum height of PSC with installation on them additional screens are developed.

Analysis of Further Education Students' Attitudes Regarding Environmental Pollution. A Case Study in Granada.

Pollution is shown as the environmental challenge, which has the greatest impact on global climate change. Faced with this situation, numerous environmental summits agree on the fact that Environmental Education needs to be implemented within the different disciplines and educational institutions. Therefore, Further Education must foster the research and management of environmental education with the aim of developing responsible citizens with sustainable attitudes. Based on this idea, this paper aimed to analyse the attitudes in Further Education students towards different situations and habits linked to pollution, as well as some of its varied typologies (chemical pollution, acoustic pollution and management of solid urban waste and rubbish). To achieve this, a sample of 307 students from different degrees of Preschool and Primary Education was included, using a questionnaire as a measuring instrument. The methodology of the study was both descriptive, through the analysis of its measures, and inferential, with the preparation of a confirmatory conceptual model through the structural equation model (SEM). Results revealed that students are highly concerned about the different situations proposed, and that the predictive model forges strong correlations between the four variables of the study. Hence, the study focused on the idea of trying to enhance environmental awareness in the groups of students from different educational phases, to subsequently foster the implementation of specific actions aimed at preserving and conserving natural resources, and to guide society towards sustainable development.

Acoustic pollution and its incidence in population health along Alejo Lascano Avenue in Jipijapa city – Ecuador

<p style="text-align: justify;">This research entitled: "Acoustic pollution and its incidence in population health along Alejo Lascano Avenue in Jipijapa city - Ecuador." The methodology that was used basically was the one of previous observation, the application of different instruments that were used beside tabulation and interpretation of results. Surveys were carried out to determine the knowledge of population about noise pollution and possible effects that this causes in daily life. Monitoring was carried out to measure the decibels caused by noise, they were put through in three different points, in a period of two months (August and September), on working days (Monday and Tuesday) and non-working days (Saturday and Sunday), rush hours in the morning (08H00-08H30), noon (12H00-12H30) and afternoon (17H00-17H30). The highest level of noise in August was presented at midday (12H00-12H30) on Monday 7 at point 1 of Alejo Lascano Ave. Km.1 Puerto Cayo road with a maximum average of 102.5 decibels dB (A) in September the highest noise level was at the same time on Tuesday the 11th at point 2 a maximum average of 103.7 decibels dB (A) was given, these values being higher than permissible in Ecuador, recommended by the TULSMA that is 55 decibels dB (A). Through surveys it was established the possible damages caused by noise pollution in Alejo Lascano Avenue Km.1 Puerto Cayo road in Jipijapa city with physiological and psychological effects. The environmental impact caused by noise is high, causing harmful effects on population such as possible hearing loss, headaches, nervous system alterations, stress that harm human health.</p>

A cross sectional study on the vocal handicap index applied to a sample of teachers in nurseries and primary school.

Acoustic pollution is generally analysed in relation to the risks for the hearing apparatus, omitting the extra-auditory effects, such as the damage that the noise can cause to the speaker's voice and listening to the learning of the vocal message. These damages are mainly found in school environments among teachers. A cross-sectional study was carried out to verify the influence that the noise of the classrooms can have on the physical and mental health of the teachers examined. This study involved four schools of Rome, for a total of 60 teachers, who were interviewed via online questionnaires, which consisted of a socio-demographic data section and 3 other sections: Vocal Handicap Index (VHI), SF-12, Job Content Questionnaire. 50 responses were received. 68% of teachers exceeded the normative value of 2.83 and perceived a disorder of the voice, and only 32% had a value lower than the standard considered (mean=7.34; median=5). The medians of MCS12 and PCS12 scores (52.9 and 54.2) were very close to those of the general population, as well as the distribution of the scores obtained from the Job Content Questionnaire. Furthermore, there was a direct association between the VHI-10 score and the age (B=0.321 p=0.016), the marital status (B=0.345 p= 0.009), and an indirect association with the MCS12 (B=-0.283 p=0.033). In general, the teachers examined are exposed in the classrooms to a high acoustic climate (median=75 dB) and, consequently, to a vocal effort during the didactic activities. Although it has not been possible to verify whether teachers with a high vocal disturbance were in the classrooms with a worse acoustic climate, the descriptive analyses provide a solid basis for further studies on the association between noise pollution and vocal effort.

Technical and economic comparison of soundproof wall panels

The world of sounds accompanies a person from the day of his birth and throughout his life. With the achievement of a high level of civilization, the level of acoustic pollution in the world has also grown. Noise is a set of undesirable sounds that are not important and do not carry information. Noise pollution affects human health and manifests itself in hearing impairment, leads to chronic diseases, and also leads to fatigue. In connection with the increased demand for acoustic comfort in the construction market, many soundproof structures and materials have appeared. The paper compares the main soundproof wall panels and chooses the most optimal variant. The main properties and characteristics of the panels are presented in tabular form.

Effect of traffic noise on Scinax nasicus advertisement call (Amphibia, Anura)

ABSTRACT Increased anthropogenic-made sounds such as traffic noises contribute to acoustic pollution, which produces deleterious effect on song-vertebrates. We compared the advertisement call of Scinax nasicus (Cope, 1862) males in natural (as a reference or control, Site A) and Sites affected by traffic noises (Site B). Call structure was recorded and it was amplified in sonograms (software Raven Pro 1.5). Seven variables were measured on its advertisement call: duration (s), number of notes, number of pulses per note, maximum and minimum frequency (kHz), dominant frequency (kHz) and amplitude (dB). In addition, at each Site the background noise (the fundamental frequency, F0 and amplitude, dB) was measured. The amplitude of background noise reached higher values (68.02 dB) in Site B, while in Site A was lower (34.81 dB). Thus, the F0 in Site A was 6.28 kHz and in Site B it was 4.15 kHz. Frog call in noisy environment (Site B) were characterized by lesser duration (s) and number of pulses per note, higher maximum and dominant frequencies (kHz), lower minimum frequencies, and amplitude (dB) when compared with control environment (Site A). Our study highlights, that S. nasicus males shift their vocal structure in traffic noisy ponds, mainly by vocal “adjust” of their frequencies and amplitude to counteract masking effect. Finally, acoustic monitoring of anurans on noise environments should be considering the spatial, temporal and spectral overlap between noise and species-specific acoustic behaviour.

The excess of sanitary norms on noise from motor transport in the cities of Irkutsk and Angarsk (Irkutsk agglomeration)

Acoustic pollution is a type of negative impact on the environment. According to the World Health Organization, the increased noise level is the second largest after pollution of the atmospheric air by the environmental cause of health problems in the population of industrial and transport cities. The increase in the number of road transport in the cities of the Irkutsk region leads to an increase in noise levels, its penetration into residential, public and office buildings. The increase in noise is also associated with the construction of new highways, bridges and roundabouts in cities. The article assesses noise pollution in large cities of the Irkutsk region. Observations on the composition and intensity of traffic at major intersections, highways and residential areas were carried out. With help of the sound level meter, noise level measurements were made in the daytime and at night and noise maps of the levels of the urban road network were constructed. The legislative basis for noise regulation in the Russian Federation and the countries of the European Union has been studied. A set of measures is suggested that contributes to reducing the acoustic impact on residents of the cities of the Irkutsk region.

Features of the acoustic situation in the operation of weapons and military equipment in the Armed Forces

Currently, a system of measures to combat the harmful effects of industrial noise on workers has been created in the healthcare of the Russian Federation. However, the level of specific and non-specific morbidity due to industrial noise does not decrease, and the frequency of occupational diseases even tends to increase. This is due to several reasons, including a large number of noise sources, insufficient quality of medical examinations, the absence and low efficiency of the personal noise protection and others. Noise occupies one of the leading places among the harmful physical factors in the Armed forces of the Russian Federation. Therefore, it is necessary to systematize information about acoustic sources of high intensity in the Armed forces, which will reveal several features of the acoustic situation in the workplaces. The features of the noise generated during the operation of weapons and military equipment include high intensity, non-permanent nature, the presence in the spectrum of low and infrasonic frequencies. The presented data show the diversity of sources of noise in the Armed forces, generating noise and infra-sound of sufficiently high levels. The widespread occurrence of noise sources in the military contributes to the high acoustic load of a large number of servicemen. Noise exposure leads to the development of the servicemen of the disease in the first turn of the organ of hearing, increased General and occupational diseases. The direct effect of noise and the development of noise pathology contributes to the reduction of military-professional performance and reliability. Unfavourable acoustic conditions at the workplaces of military personnel require preventive measures. The noise generated by the operation of military equipment creates discomfort for the population and a threat to the environment. Environmental impacts of acoustic oscillations on the natural environment was studied in connection with the training and combat activities of troops in places of permanent deployment and at the sites located near human settlements. It is established that several million people are exposed to noise in our country. Sources of noise affecting the population are industrial and military facilities and road, rail and, especially, air transport. The problem of acoustic pollution of the environment in the operation of weapons and military equipment is one of the priority environmental problems facing the Armed forces.

Вплив типу дорожнього покриття на акустичне забруднення прилеглих до автомобільної дороги територій

Вплив типу дорожнього покриття на акустичне забруднення прилеглих до автомобільної дороги територій

Acoustic pollution and its incidence in population health around bus station perimeter in Jipijapa city – Ecuador

<p style="text-align: justify;">This research entitled: " Acoustic pollution and its incidence in population health around bus station perimeter in Jipijapa city - Ecuador. " was carried out during 2017. The methodology used in this work was: observation prior determination of monitoring place, the application of survey, tabulation and interpretation of results. The monitoring was done during the two-month period. The monitoring was carried out on working days (Monday and Tuesday) and non-working (Sunday) at three key points of the perimeter of the bus station. Point 1 (front), point 2 (entry), point 3 (exit). After having monitored the noise pollution, the results were: The highest level of noise was presented in the month of June on Monday afternoon rush hours (12:30 pm to 1:00 pm) at point 1 (front side) ) of the perimeter of the terrestrial terminal with a maximum monthly average of 79.8 decibels dB (A). The month of July presented a higher level of noise pollution in point 1, with a maximum monthly average of 79.9 decibels dB (A), these levels exceed the permissible limits that is 55 decibels dB (A) in a mixed commercial zone according to TULSMA. The main source that generates noise is the horn of rural and provincial buses, cars, motorcycles with defective exhaust pipes, motor vehicles in poor condition, among others. The possible damages caused by the exposure of noise pollution in inhabitants of this area with physiological and psychological effects are: headache, stress, irritability and aggressiveness, hearing loss, nervous system alterations. In addition, the respondents said they do not agree that drivers make unnecessary noises with the horn of their vehicles and agree that noise control standards should be applied; the noise that bothers most is generated by the buses. It also presents a proposal that contributes to finding solutions in noise pollution and its effects on the health of the inhabitants.</p>

The possible effects of anthropogenic acoustic pollution on marine mammals' reproduction: an emerging threat to animal extinction.

For about 119 species of cetaceans and other aquatic animals, sound is the key source of learning about the environment, navigation, communication, foraging, and avoiding predators. However, in the recent era, the introduction of large quantities of anthropogenic noise into the ocean has significantly altered the ocean's acoustic environment. The anthropogenic noises travel very long distances, blanketing enormous areas. This can affect cetaceans, either by direct killing or compromising hearing, navigation, communication, predation, as well as normal behaviors. It has been suggested that acoustic pollution could possibly negatively affect cetacean reproduction, which is harmful for endangered and threatened species. However, it is still unknown how acoustic pollution can suppress cetacean reproduction. This is the first comprehensive review article, which focuses on the possible consequences affecting the reproduction of marine mammals resulting from acoustic pollution.

Modeling of the mechanism of appearance of external infrasound of land vehicles

The main contribution to the acoustic pollution of residential areas is made by land vehicles including automobiles. Most scientific publications are devoted to the study of audible sound, its sources in the vehicle and the development of measures to reduce it. According to the authors opinion, at present the problem of the emergence and spread of infrasound in residential areas, and, accordingly, its negative impact on people and the environment is underestimated. Hence the development of computational and experimental methods for studying the mechanism of the appearance of infrasound from a vehicle is a very urgent problem. A large proportion of the acoustic radiation from the vehicle falls on infrasound and low-frequency range of frequencies. Depending on the design of the automobile, the occurrence of internal infrasound can be caused by the engine's vibrations as a rigid body on its suspension, flexural and torsional body oscillations, the impact of the oncoming airflow. Measurements of internal and external infrasound were carried out. A computational model is proposed and an assessment is made of the influence of the design features of the vehicle on the level of infrasound. Calculation studies of the mechanism of the appearance of an external infrasound of a vehicle have shown that its frequency and level depend on the speed of movement, the drag coefficient, the length and the Strouhal number. A significant source of infrasound in the automobile are also wheels that perform rotational and translational movements in the oncoming air stream. Calculation of five wheel harmonics for a automobile at various speeds of movement is carried out, existing dependences are revealed. The results of the calculation showed that exceeding the normative values of infrasound is possible only in residential areas adjacent to the traffic flow with speeds of over 80 km / h.