Understanding Ocean Acoustics
To compare noise levels in water to noise levels in air, one must subtract 26 dB from the noise level referenced in water. For example, a supertanker radiating noise at 190 dB (re 1µPa 1m) has an equivalent noise level in air of about 128 dB (re 20µPa 1m). These numbers are approximate, and amplitude often varies with frequency.