Estimates of blast injury and acoustic trauma zones for marine mammals from underwater explosions

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TitleEstimates of blast injury and acoustic trauma zones for marine mammals from underwater explosions
Publication TypeBook Chapter
Year of Publication1995
AuthorsKetten, D. R.
EditorsKastelein, R. A., J. A. Thomas, and P. E. Nachtigall
Book TitleSensory Systems of Aquatic Mammals
Pagination391-408
PublisherDe Spil Publishers
CityWoerden, The Netherlands
ISBN Number90-72743-05-9
Call NumberDRK6791
Keywordsacoustic trauma, auditory pathology, blast trauma, explosive trauma, hearing, hearing loss, hearing pathology, IEBT, inner ear barotrauma, land mammals, marine mammals, mysticetes, odontocetes, permanent threshold shift, PTS, temporary threshold shift, trauma, TTS
Abstract

The physical parameters of two underwater detonations of Class A explosives (TNT derivatives with fast rise-time waveforms) are analyzed for their potential to induce blast injury and acoustic trauma in marine mammals. Anatomical differences between marine and land mammal ears that may affect the incidence and severity of acoustic trauma and the basic concepts of temporary versus permanent threshold shifts are summarized. Overpressure calculations are combined with experimental data from the literature to calculate theoretical zones for acute trauma, permanent hearing loss, and temporary threshold shifts for mid water explosions at two charge weights.