Environmental Impact of Offshore Wind Farm Construction on Marine Mammals

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Environmental Impact
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 1
Executive Summary
Offshore wind competence is a valuable source of renewable energy. This helps in the
reduction of the emission of carbon. The advancement in technology is increasing the
formation of high capacitor turbines in deeper water. Researchers now revealed the potential
effects of these constructions of wind farms on marine species, especially the marine
mammals’ population. The report discusses the potential impacts of Hornsea 3 offshore Wind
farm construction on marine mammals’ population and makes some recommendations for
future monitoring on this issue.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 2
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Scoping Document.....................................................................................................................3
Assessment of potential impacts................................................................................................4
Possible Mitigation...................................................................................................................10
Monitoring Plan.......................................................................................................................11
Objective Opinions...................................................................................................................12
Reference..................................................................................................................................13

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 3
Introduction
With the increasing number and size of offshore Wind farm construction, there has
been an increased rate of consequences and impacts of these constructions on the lives of the
marine species (Zhang, Fowai and Sun 2016). Besides the natural stochastic process, certain
other anthropogenic activities like operation, construction and maintenance can affect the
abundance and behavior of marine mammals. Researchers have found out that the loud
sounds that are emitted during the pile driving have severe impacts on the marine species
(Dai et al. 2015). These can potentially damage the hearing organs of the animals. There lies
further risk of the animals in the ocean getting injured by the ships, the movements of the
vessels and activities associated with survey and installation of the construction buildings in
the sea. Marine animals are sensitive species and they are sensitive to sound
(Premalatha,Abbasiand Abbasi2014). Studies have focused on the increasing influence of
offshore wind farm construction on marine mammals recently for understanding how to
facilitate planning in the ocean area (“Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm Project-Environmental
Statement.” 2015). The assignment reviewed the potential threats to the marine mammal
species namely, grey seals, minke whales, harbour porpoise, harbour seals and more.
Scoping Document
The purpose and scope of this assignment are to provide a baseline characterization of
the ecology of the marine mammals. The objective of the assignment is to characterize the
area of study of the marine mammals with respect to their presence, distribution, and
seasonality. Further, the assignment aims to produce density maps for each of the key species
for indicating the targeted areas and the potential usage across the area (Bergström et al.
2014). The scope of the report is to compare the mammal study area with the North Sea
region for assessing the importance of the report regarding the safety of the marine mammals

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 4
in a broader context. While writing the report, the number of marine mammals valued
ecological report has been considered. Some of the reports are from Marine Management
Organization and Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The report highlights the adverse
effect of the establishment of Hornsea 3 offshore Wind farm on the lives of the species living
in the ocean (Premalatha, Abbasi and Abbasi 2014). The scope of this report is to find out the
areas where development is required for the safety of the marine population and how these
species can be preserved and protected in the coming days.
Assessment of potential impacts
The growth of offshore wind firms plays a major role in meeting the carbon reduction
targets which have been expanded to mitigate the potential effects of the change in the
climate.
The Hornsea 3 offshore Wind farm is situated approximately at 31km off the coast of
Yorkshire in the southern hemisphere of the North Sea. The Hornsea 3 offshore zone covers
an area of approximately 5000 km2 and falls under the survey Block U of the Small
Cetaceans in the North Sea (“Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm Project-Environmental
Statement.” 2015). The construction of The Hornsea 3 offshore Wind farm is having a
negative impact on the lives of the mammals in the ocean both during the construction and in
the operation stage (Nehls et al. 2016). The turbines, the noise of construction, the noise in
the underwater and the traffic of the boat and helicopter disturbs the mammals (Zhang, Fowai
and Sun 2016).
Research has found out that mammals are very dependent and sensitive of their hearing
systems (Verfuss et al. 2016). They use their hearing system for several purposes like
communicating among fellow species or team members, orientation and echolocation. The

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 5
consequences caused due to the formation of wind farms and its noises cause problems of
viability, increased chances of diseases, damage to any organs and even death.
Some of the possible impacts of the development of offshore wind farm on marine mammal
population are:
• Anthropogenic Sound
• Wind Firm construction noise
• Wind Firm operation noise
• Decommissioning
• Pollution (Ward 2014)
• Ship strikes
• Cabling
According to certain reports, the noise range measured by the German Federal Ministry of
Environment, the noise level caused due to the construction of farms or the movement of any
other transport in or near the ocean does not seem to damage the hearing ability or the
hearing organs of the marine mammals (Dongenergy.co.uk. 2018). It is still a huge debate
whether the noise affects the behavior of the species in the area surrounding the Hornsea 3
turbines. Different reactions between the different species in the ocean give a clear analysis
of the adverse effect of the offshore wind farm on the livelihood of the species underwater
(Russell 2016).
Ship Collisions, Radars and Radio Signals, and Other Impacts