Sound Pressure Level Measurements at and around the Las Pailas Geothermal Project and in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Abstract

Sound Pressure Level Measurements have been made in the area under development for the Las Pailas Geothermal Project, expected to come on line with a 35 MW powerhouse in 2011, as well as within the north-bordering Rincón de la Vieja National Park and a region of open grasslands to the northwest. Each noise level measurement was taken at 120 cm above the soil level at points located one kilometer apart from one another. Throughout the field area there are important differences in elevation, topographic gradient, and land use, all of which may influence the measured sound pressure levels. The sources of environmental background noise in the field area perceived during the study were also recorded. All of these data have been compiled in an Access database and integrated so that they may be visualilzed in ArcView.
This report presents the findings of this investigation and conclusions on the factors that may influence environmental background noise in and around the Las Pailas Geothermal Project as well as within the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The current and future results of this investigation may be utilized in the decision making process for future development of the Las Pailas Geothermal Project.