Abstract
Impact pile driving is a method used to install piles for marine and inland water construction projects using high-energy impact hammers. The installation of hollow steel piles in this manner can produce extremely high sound levels in the surrounding waters (as well as in the air). Given the large-scale development of offshore wind in European waters and plans for such development in US waters, along with an increasing need for upgrades in the in-water infrastructure, there is a growing concern about the potential effect of construction-related underwater sounds on marine mammal and fish populations.