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Chris Bassett Senior Mechanical Engineer cbassett@uw.edu Phone 206-543-1263 |
Research Interests
Passive noise studies, acoustic scattering, sea ice, marine renewable energy, fisheries acoustics, anthropogenic noise
Biosketch
Chris applies passive and active acoustic techniques to a variety of underwater applications. Some of his previous and ongoing studies include fisheries acoustics; high-frequency scattering from sea ice, crude oil, and physical oceanographic processes; measurements of anthropogenic noise; and ambient noise studies.
Education
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2007
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 2010
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 2013
Videos
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Turbulence Generated by Tides in the Canal de Chacao, Chile At a proposed tidal energy conversion site in southern Chile, APL-UW researchers are measuring the magnitude and scales of turbulence, both to aid in the design of turbines for the site and to understand the fundamental dynamics of flows through the channel. |
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7 Mar 2013
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Principal Investigator Jim Thomson chronicled all phases of the Chilean experiment through posts to the New York Times 'Scientist at Work' blog. |
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Sound Sounds: Listening to the Undersea Noise in Puget Sound Doctoral student researcher Chris Bassett is analyzing a long time series of ambient noise data from Puget Sound. Vessel traffic is the most significant noise source, but breaking waves, precipitation, biology, and sediment moving on the seabed are other common underwater noise sources. The research is being pursued in conjunction with a program to assess the environmental impacts from a tidal energy conversion system placed on the seafloor. |
13 Mar 2012
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Publications |
2000-present and while at APL-UW |
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Risk to marine animals from underwater noise generated by marine renewable energy devices Polagye, B., and C. Bassett, "Risk to marine animals from underwater noise generated by marine renewable energy devices," in OES-Environmental 2020 State of the Science Report: Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development Around the World, A.E. Copping and L.G. Hemery, eds., 67-85, doi:10.2172/1633082 (Ocean Energy Systems, 2020). |
30 Sep 2020 ![]() |
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Frequency- and depth-dependent target strength measurements of individual mesopelagic scatterers Bassett, C., A.C. Lavery, T.K. Stanton, and E.D. Cotter, "Frequency- and depth-dependent target strength measurements of individual mesopelagic scatterers," J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 148, EL153, doi:10.1121/10.0001745, 2020. |
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1 Aug 2020 ![]() |
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Recent estimates based on shipboard echosounders suggest that 50% or more of global fish biomass may reside in the mesopelagic zone (depths of ~2001000 m). Nonetheless, little is known about the acoustic target strengths (TS) of mesopelagic animals because ship-based measurements cannot resolve individual targets. As a result, biomass estimates of mesopelagic organisms are poorly constrained. Using an instrumented tow-body, broadband (1890 kHz) TS measurements were obtained at depths from 70 to 850 m. A comparison between TS measurements at-depth and values used in a recent global estimate of mesopelagic biomass suggests lower target densities at most depths. |
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Adaptable Monitoring Package development and deployment: Lessons learned for integrated instrumentation at marine energy sites Polagye, B., J. Joslin, P. Murphy, E. Cotter, M. Scott, P. Gibbs, C. Bassett, and A. Stewart, "Adaptable Monitoring Package development and deployment: Lessons learned for integrated instrumentation at marine energy sites," J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 8, 553, doi:10.3390/jmse8080553, 2020. |
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24 Jul 2020 ![]() |
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Integrated instrumentation packages are an attractive option for environmental and ecological monitoring at marine energy sites, as they can support a range of sensors in a form factor compact enough for the operational constraints posed by energetic waves and currents. Here we present details of the architecture and performance for one such system the Adaptable Monitoring Package which supports active acoustic, passive acoustic, and optical sensing to quantify the physical environment and animal presence at marine energy sites. we describe cabled and autonomous deployments and contrast the relatively limited system capabilities in an autonomous operating mode with more expansive capabilities, including real-time data processing, afforded by shore power or in situ power harvesting from waves. Across these deployments, we describe sensor performance, outcomes for biological target classification algorithms using data from multibeam sonars and optical cameras, and the effectiveness of measures to limit biofouling and corrosion. On the basis of these experiences, we discuss the demonstrated requirements for integrated instrumentation, possible operational concepts for monitoring the environmental and ecological effects of marine energy converters using such systems, and the engineering trade-offs inherent in their development. Overall, we find that integrated instrumentation can provide powerful capabilities for observing rare events, managing the volume of data collected, and mitigating potential bias to marine animal behavior. These capabilities may be as relevant to the broader oceanographic community as they are to the emerging marine energy sector. |
In The News
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Sounds of the sea: Stones clanging Inside Science, Joel N. Shurkin Tide-borne pebbles on the seabed can drown out other ocean noises. According to research by Christopher Bassett and colleagues published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, the noise from gravel on the seabed is significant to the overall undersea soundscape. |
21 May 2013
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Noisy ships, ferries create racket below Puget Sound The Seattle Times, Craig Welch Recent work by University of Washington researchers shows noise in some Puget Sound shipping channels regularly meets or exceeds levels the federal government suggests may be harmful to marine life. |
3 Jan 2013
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