Effects of anthropogenic electromagnetic fields used for subsurface oil and gas exploration

Abstract

Effects of anthropogenic electromagnetic fields used for subsurface oil and gas exploration (controlled-source electromagnetics, CSEM) on the early development of Atlantic haddock Guillebon C, Perrichon P, Browman HI, Cresci A, Sivle LD, Skiftesvik AB, Zhang G, Durif CMF. Effects of anthropogenic electromagnetic fields used for subsurface oil and gas exploration (controlled-source electromagnetics, CSEM) on the early development of Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Dec 12;211:117425. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117425. Abstract Controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM) uses electromagnetic fields (EMF) to detect oil reservoirs. Atlantic haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus, is a commercially important demersal fish species that can potentially be impacted by such surveys due to potential overlap with egg distribution. In this study, haddock eggs were exposed to EMF, replicating CSEM survey conditions in a laboratory. Three different EMF intensities were used to replicate different distances between the EMF source and the organism. Exposures lasted for 15 min. A worst-case scenario, i.e. 1 h exposure at the highest EMF level was also carried out. None of the treatments caused malformations, mortality or affected hatching of eggs. However, EMF exposure induced tachycardia in newly hatched larvae and reduced the size of their yolk sac reserve. The effect was significant at the lowest EMF intensity (corresponding to 1000 m between the EMF source and the exposed subject) and increased with exposure time and intensity Open access paper: sciencedirect.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Laboratory exposures replicating CSEM survey conditions did not cause malformations, mortality, or affect egg hatching. EMF exposure induced tachycardia in newly hatched larvae and reduced yolk sac reserve size; the effect was significant at the lowest EMF intensity (corresponding to 1000 m from the source) and increased with exposure time and intensity.

Outcomes measured

• Malformations
• Mortality
• Hatching of eggs
• Heart rate (tachycardia) in newly hatched larvae
• Yolk sac reserve size in newly hatched larvae

Limitations

• Frequency and SAR not reported in the abstract
• Sample size not reported in the abstract
• Laboratory exposure may not fully represent field conditions
• Exposure durations were short (15 min) with a 1 h worst-case scenario

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.2)
  Study concerns EMF from industrial oil and gas exploration surveys (CSEM), though the exposed subjects are fish rather than workers.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "controlled-source electromagnetics (CSEM) for subsurface oil and gas exploration",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "15 min exposures at three intensities; worst-case 1 h at highest EMF level"
    },
    "population": "Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) eggs/early larvae (laboratory exposure)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Malformations",
        "Mortality",
        "Hatching of eggs",
        "Heart rate (tachycardia) in newly hatched larvae",
        "Yolk sac reserve size in newly hatched larvae"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Laboratory exposures replicating CSEM survey conditions did not cause malformations, mortality, or affect egg hatching. EMF exposure induced tachycardia in newly hatched larvae and reduced yolk sac reserve size; the effect was significant at the lowest EMF intensity (corresponding to 1000 m from the source) and increased with exposure time and intensity.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency and SAR not reported in the abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
        "Laboratory exposure may not fully represent field conditions",
        "Exposure durations were short (15 min) with a 1 h worst-case scenario"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "controlled-source electromagnetics",
        "CSEM",
        "anthropogenic electromagnetic fields",
        "oil and gas exploration",
        "Atlantic haddock",
        "fish eggs",
        "larvae",
        "tachycardia",
        "yolk sac",
        "marine pollution"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Study concerns EMF from industrial oil and gas exploration surveys (CSEM), though the exposed subjects are fish rather than workers."
        }
    ]
}

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