Ringed seal densities and noise near an icebound artificial island with construction and drilling

摘要: A monitoring program documented densities of ringed seals, Phoca hispida, before and during development the Northstar oil field in central Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Aerial surveys seals on landfast ice were conducted springs 1997 to 1999 (pre-construction) 2000–2001 (construction drilling). Acoustic vibration data acquired ice-covered seasons 2000 2001. Underwater sounds, in-air iceborne vibrations from above background levels distances 1–5, 0.5–4, 1–4 km, respectively. However, seal close 2001 not reduced relative those farther away or period.