Underwater acoustics is a key underpinning technology for offshore oil and gas activities. It is increasingly used in oceanographic and environmental studies, and also plays a crucial role in defence. The applications of underwater sound span positioning, communications, navigation, echo-sounding, geophysical surveying, water quality measurement, sonar, weapons systems and tomographic measurements of ocean currents and temperature.
NPL's capability enables the protection and sustainable exploitation of the marine environment through provision and dissemination of traceable acoustic standards. This enhances the competitiveness of the marine technology industry and underpins strategic offshore energy applications.The accurate measurement of anthroprogenic, or man-made pollution, noise is key to the assessment of its effect on marine life.
The metrology infrastructure ensures a robust legislative framework to protect the ocean environment without introducing unnecessary barriers to exploitation of the seas. It provides the standards that underpin the UK's defence and security capability, and support UK marine technology companies.
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