Sound Attenuation

Bubble Curtain and Noise Barrier

A Bubble Tubing® bubble curtain is an innovative and proven solution used worldwide to reduce underwater noise during marine and industrial operations. Versatile, durable, and easy to deploy, this noise barrier helps protect marine mammals, fish, and sensitive ecosystems.

Definition of a Bubble Curtain

A bubble curtain is also known as an air bubble barrier, pneumatic air bubble barrier, compressed air barrier, air pulse barrier, bubble wall, noise barrier or aquatic air barrier. Regardless of the name, the principle is the same: a rising wall of microbubbles forms a physical and acoustic shield in the water column.

THE BUBBLE CURTAIN: AN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

How Bubble Curtains Reduce Underwater Noise

With global increases in shipping, construction and military activity, underwater noise has become a major threat to marine life. Bubble Tubing® air bubble curtains are recognized as one of the most effective mitigation tools to reduce the impact of:

• Pile driving
• Drilling
• Demining
• Seismic surveys
• Underwater blasting
• Offshore construction

A properly designed bubble curtain attenuates the speed and intensity of underwater sound waves, significantly reducing their harmful effects on marine mammals and fish.

Why use a Bubble Curtain?

A Bubble Tubing® bubble curtain provides:

• Effective acoustic attenuation — reduces shock waves and harmful frequencies
• Predictable performance — engineered bubble size and distribution
• Eco‑responsible protection — minimizes disturbance to marine ecosystems
• Proven results — validated by multiple studies and real‑world deployments

Clients across North America, Europe, and beyond have integrated Bubble Tubing® into their environmental protection strategies.

Who Needs Bubble Curtains?

Bubble curtains are essential for organizations involved in:

• Maritime construction
• Offshore wind development
• Oil and gas exploration
• Dredging and excavation
• Seismic surveys
• Demining and blasting
• Pile driving and hammering

Our engineering and biology experts determine the optimal configuration—single or double curtain, airflow, layout, and performance targets—based on your project’s requirements and regulatory standards.

These mobile or fixed air barriers are:

• Easy to install
• Durable in all climates (heat, cold, ice, currents)
• Available in multiple formats and lengths
• Cost‑effective for industrial applications

How Does the Bubble Curtain Work?

The system is built around a specialized perforated diffuser pipe, engineered by Bubble Tubing® after years of R&D. When installed on the seabed:

1. Compressed air is released evenly along the entire diffuser.
2. Microbubbles rise from bottom to surface, forming a continuous vertical barrier.
3. This bubble wall absorbs, scatters, and slows underwater sound waves.
4. The result: a measurable reduction in shock wave intensity and harmful frequencies.

Proper airflow is essential to performance. Our engineers provide guidance on:

• Air supply requirements
• System activation and control
• Optimal placement
• Single vs. double barrier configurations

Applications of Bubble Curtains:

Protection of the marine environment from underwater shock waves during underwater work — including ammunition explosions, piling, drilling, rock stripping, and oil exploration with seismic effects.

A Bubble Tubing® bubble curtain acts as a noise barrier that reduces the intensity of shock waves and harmful acoustic energy, helping protect marine mammals, fish, and sensitive ecosystems during high‑impact industrial operations.