Underwater noise monitoring
We offer a highly specialised service in the study of underwater noise, following all stages of the process: from campaign design to data collection and analysis, to the production of technical reports that comply with international regulations.
But our work is not limited to collecting numbers: each campaign is tailor-made, with instruments designed to withstand the most extreme marine conditions and adapt to different operating contexts.
Behind every recording is an experienced team capable of making operational decisions at sea, interpreting complex data and continuously improving the tools used. Whether it’s assessing the noise generated by an offshore construction site, monitoring marine habitats or supporting industrial operations with mitigation strategies, we bring our technical expertise, scientific focus and passion for the marine environment to every project.
Every project begins with a careful analysis and planning phase.
During this phase, we work with the client to define the objectives, technical constraints and environmental context in which we will operate. Based on these elements, we build a tailor-made configuration, selecting the most suitable hydrophone, recording unit, power supply systems and acoustic sampling strategy.
We do not adopt standard solutions: each configuration fits the specific site, the duration of the campaign, and the type of phenomena to be monitored.
Data collection often takes place in the open sea, near industrial areas or sensitive natural environments, and can last from a few days to several weeks. The systems used — submerged at depths of up to hundreds of metres — operate silently and continuously, recording every sound event and saving the files with the exact date and time.
Once the acquisition phase is complete, the instruments are retrieved and the data analysed using dedicated software. The recordings are read and interpreted, taking into account known environmental and anthropogenic information, such as maritime traffic or any construction site activities. The analysis may include spectrograms, acoustic event detection, SPL measurements and other parameters useful for assessing the sound environment.
Finally, we produce comprehensive technical reports that can be used for:
- environmental impact assessments.
- studies on marine fauna,
- compliance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD – 2008/56/EC), long-term monitoring activities.
Once the acquisition phase is complete, the instruments are retrieved and the data analysed using dedicated software. The recordings are read and interpreted, taking into account known environmental and anthropogenic information, such as maritime traffic or any construction site activities. The analysis may include spectrograms, acoustic event detection, SPL measurements and other parameters useful for assessing the sound environment.
Finally, we produce comprehensive technical reports that can be used for:
- environmental impact assessments.
- studies on marine fauna,
- compliance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD – 2008/56/EC), long-term monitoring activities.
Instruments
Since 2005, we have been designing and manufacturing specialized instrumentation for our own research activities and for our partners.
Our first breakthrough came during the LIFE DelTa project, with the development of the RASP (Registratore Acustico Subacqueo Programmabile). This early programmable underwater recorder was engineered by integrating a commercial M-AUDIO Microtrack 24/96 digital recorder with a Cetacean Research Technology hydrophone, all housed within a deep-sea aluminum canister. To automate the system, we designed a custom control board capable of simulating manual button inputs and monitoring device feedback.
In 2015, we transitioned to producing small batches of the uRec recorder series. These devices primarily utilize the Dodotronic UltraMIC384k board and the Sensor Technology SQ26-05 hydrophone, though they remain highly adaptable. Over the years, we have developed various customized versions of the uRec, featuring acrylic canisters and diverse acquisition hardware, including:
Recorders: Zoom H1/H1n, AudioMoth/HydroMoth.
Boards: UltraMIC 384k, UltraMIC 250k, Adafruit prototyping boards, and Raspberry Pi.
We offer several sensor configurations based on the intended application:
Standard Soundscape & General Monitoring: Sensors such as the SensorTech SQ26-05 (discountinued in year 2025), Aquarian Audio H2d, and Aquarian Scientific S-1 with integral preamplifier (or AS-1 with a PA-4 balanced add-on preamp) are mounted directly onto the canister cap.
Noise Measurement: For high-accuracy tasks, we utilize sensors connected via cable (typically 30 cm to 1 m), such as the Aquarian Scientific AS-1 (with PA-4 preamp) or the S-1 with an integrated preamp.
For optimized acoustic performance, these recorders can be oil-filled to significantly reduce the already low acoustic scattering caused by the canister structure (acrylic resin) and internal air pockets.
