Interpretation of long term data measured continuously on long range soundpropagation over sea surfaces

In order to obtain the data for environmental impact assessment of a new pl anned airport on an artificial offshore island, long term (14 months) conti nuous measurement of long range (5 km) sound propagation over a sea surface was carried out with the MLS correlation method. The measured noise reduct ion data were analyzed statistically to explore any relationships with mete orological conditions observed simultaneously. Although clear results could not be found between these relationships, useful statistical data of exces s attenuation for propagation of estimated aircraft noise was obtained. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.