Technical Tools for Underwater Monitoring of Seismic Survey Operations on the Shelf

Abstract—The article presents a new modification to a measuring–recording apparatus developed at the Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, to monitor anthropogenic noise levels on the northeastern shelf of Sakhalin Island. The functional possibilities of the original devices, modules, and software are described. The main device of the apparatus is the Shelf-2014 underwater bottom station, which records acoustic pressure variations in the 2–15 000 Hz frequency range. For operation in real time, the station is supplemented with a telemetry buoy. The Iridium satellite network serves as the buoy’s data transmission channel. Software at a shore post makes it possible to view the acoustic conditions in real time. The coordinates and technical status of bottom stations and buoys are controlled automatically. An operator receives on-screen notification when the parameters go beyond the permissible limits. The modified apparatus was tested on the shelf of the Sea of Japan.