A self-contained acoustic station with a digital radiotelemetry channel for monitoring seismic acoustic signals on the shelf

The Shelf-09 self-contained acoustic station has been developed at the Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute for long-term (up to 1 month) stationary measurements (on the shelf) of acoustic pressures varying in a 2- to 15 000-Hz band. The station is intended for monitoring of characteristics of seismic acoustic signals and noises produced by a seismic survey ship operating on the shelf at the boundaries of the nearest known range of rare marine animals so as to exclude possible anthropogenic influence on them. To arrange online monitoring of industrial noises and pulse seismic acoustic signals, the acoustic data measured in a 2- to 2000-Hz band are transmitted to a coastal post or ship via a digital VHF radiotelemetry channel. The Shelf-09 station has successfully passed tests under laboratory and field conditions.