Marzia Baldachini

Ms. Marzia Baldachini

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 January 2025 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Marzia BaldachiniMarzia Baldachini
Marzia Baldachini
FPFederica Pace
Federica Pace
GBGiuseppa Buscaino
Giuseppa Buscaino
RRRoberto Racca
Roberto Racca
MWMichael A. Wood
Michael A. Wood
EPElena Papale
Elena Papale

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Marzia BaldachiniMarzia Baldachini
Marzia Baldachini
RBRobin D. J. Burns
Robin D. J. Burns
Giuseppa BuscainoGiuseppa Buscaino
Giuseppa Buscaino
EPElena Papale
Elena Papale
RRRoberto Racca
Roberto Racca
FPFederica Pace
Federica Pace
In the shift toward sustainable energy production, offshore wind power has experienced notable expansion. Several projects to install floating offshore wind farms in European waters, ranging from a few to hundreds of turbines, are currently in the planning stage. The underwater operational sound generated by these floating turbines has the potential to affect marine ecosystems, although the extent of this impact remains underexplored. This study models the sound radiated by three planned floating wind farms in the Strait of Sicily (Italy), an area of significant interest for such developments. These wind farms vary in size (from 250 MW to 2800 MW) and environmental characteristics, including bathymetry and seabed substrates. Propagation losses were modeled in one-third-octave bands using JASCO Applied Sciences’ Marine Operations Noise Model, which is based on the parabolic equation method, combined with the BELLHOP beam-tracing model. Two sound speed profiles, corresponding to winter and summer, were applied to simulate seasonal variations in sound propagation. Additionally, sound from an offshore supply ship was incorporated with one of these wind farms to simulate maintenance operations. Results indicate that sound from operating wind farms could reach a broadband sound pressure level (Lp) of 100 dB re 1 µPa as far as 67 km from the wind farm. Nevertheless, this sound level is generally lower than the ambient sound in areas with intense shipping traffic. The findings are discussed in relation to local background sound levels and current guidelines and regulations. The implications for environmental management include the need for comprehensive monitoring and mitigation strategies to protect marine ecosystems from potential acoustic disturbances.