Potential Effects of Anthropogenic Radiofrequency Radiation on Cetaceans
Abstract
Potential Effects of Anthropogenic Radiofrequency Radiation on Cetaceans Balmori-de la Puente A, Balmori A. Potential Effects of Anthropogenic Radiofrequency Radiation on Cetaceans. Radiation. 2024; 4(1):1-16. doi: 10.3390/radiation4010001. Abstract Cetaceans are cast to shore for a large number of reasons, although sometimes it is not clear why. This paper reviews the types and causes of cetacean strandings, focusing on mass strandings that lack a direct scientific explanation. Failure of cetacean orientation due to radiofrequency radiation and alterations in the Earth’s magnetic field produced during solar storms stand out among the proposed causes. This paper proposes the possibility that anthropogenic radiofrequency radiation from military and meteorological radars may also cause these strandings in areas where powerful radars exist. A search of accessible databases of military and meteorological radars in the world was carried out. Research articles on mass live strandings of cetaceans were reviewed to find temporal or spatial patterns in the stranding concentrations along the coast. The data showed certain patterns of spatial and temporal evidence in the stranding concentrations along the coast after radar setup and provided a detailed description of how radars may interfere with cetacean echolocation from a physiological standpoint. Plausible mechanisms, such as interference with echolocation systems or pulse communication systems, are proposed. This work is theoretical, but it leads to a hypothesis that could be empirically tested. Further in-depth studies should be carried out to confirm or reject the proposed hypothesis. Simple Summary The number of mass stranding events is dramatically increasing in recent decades affecting cetacean diversity and conservation. They consist in the accumulation of cetacean carcasses or live animals along the coast following certain temporal and spatial patterns. Although some cases can be explained based on a combination of physical or biological natural factors, direct human intervention is contributing to many of them. However, there are still many cases with unknown causes that demand to increase the efforts to describe possible new threats to cetacean species. In this context, we evaluate the potential effect of anthropogenic radiofrequency radiation (i.e., from meteorological and military radars) that has had a great expansion in the last years and is known to alter the magnetic receptor organs in several groups of animals. The aim of this work, was to conduct a bibliographic review reporting mass stranding events together with a search of radars in the vicinity areas. The results obtained suggest that anthropogenic radiofrequency radiation may be considered as a novel factor to understand some stranding events with unknown causes and proposes some plausible mechanisms of action. Open access paper: mdpi.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
This theoretical review examines whether anthropogenic radiofrequency radiation from military and meteorological radars could contribute to some mass cetacean strandings with unknown causes. The authors report observing spatial and temporal patterns in stranding concentrations along coasts after radar setup and propose plausible physiological mechanisms (e.g., interference with echolocation or pulse communication systems). The paper frames these observations as a hypothesis that requires empirical testing and calls for further studies to confirm or reject it.
Outcomes measured
- Cetacean mass stranding events
- Orientation/navigation disruption
- Echolocation interference
- Potential effects on magnetic receptor organs
Limitations
- The work is described as theoretical and hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory.
- No quantitative exposure characterization (e.g., frequencies, power levels, SAR) is provided in the abstract.
- Potential for confounding and alternative explanations for strandings is not resolved in the abstract.
- Methods and inclusion criteria for the literature review and radar database search are not detailed in the abstract.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2024,
"study_type": "review",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "military and meteorological radars",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": null
},
"population": "Cetaceans",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Cetacean mass stranding events",
"Orientation/navigation disruption",
"Echolocation interference",
"Potential effects on magnetic receptor organs"
],
"main_findings": "This theoretical review examines whether anthropogenic radiofrequency radiation from military and meteorological radars could contribute to some mass cetacean strandings with unknown causes. The authors report observing spatial and temporal patterns in stranding concentrations along coasts after radar setup and propose plausible physiological mechanisms (e.g., interference with echolocation or pulse communication systems). The paper frames these observations as a hypothesis that requires empirical testing and calls for further studies to confirm or reject it.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"The work is described as theoretical and hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory.",
"No quantitative exposure characterization (e.g., frequencies, power levels, SAR) is provided in the abstract.",
"Potential for confounding and alternative explanations for strandings is not resolved in the abstract.",
"Methods and inclusion criteria for the literature review and radar database search are not detailed in the abstract."
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.7199999999999999733546474089962430298328399658203125,
"summary": "This 2024 review explores whether anthropogenic RF radiation from military and meteorological radars could be a contributing factor in some mass cetacean strandings that lack clear explanations. It reports spatial and temporal patterns in stranding concentrations along coasts after radar setup and outlines plausible mechanisms such as interference with echolocation or communication. The authors emphasize the work is theoretical and propose the idea as a testable hypothesis requiring further study.",
"key_points": [
"The paper focuses on mass cetacean strandings that lack a direct scientific explanation.",
"It proposes anthropogenic RF radiation from military and meteorological radars as a possible contributing factor in some locations.",
"The authors searched accessible radar databases and reviewed research articles on mass live strandings for spatial/temporal patterns.",
"The abstract reports patterns in stranding concentrations along coasts after radar setup.",
"Physiological mechanisms are proposed, including interference with echolocation and pulse communication systems.",
"The work is explicitly framed as theoretical and calls for empirical studies to confirm or reject the hypothesis."
],
"categories": [
"Wildlife & Ecology",
"RF Exposure Sources",
"Mechanisms & Bioeffects"
],
"tags": [
"Cetaceans",
"Mass Strandings",
"Radiofrequency Radiation",
"Radar Systems",
"Military Radar",
"Meteorological Radar",
"Echolocation",
"Animal Navigation",
"Magnetoreception",
"Hypothesis-Generating Review"
],
"keywords": [
"cetaceans",
"mass strandings",
"radiofrequency radiation",
"anthropogenic RF",
"radars",
"military radar",
"meteorological radar",
"echolocation",
"orientation",
"magnetic field"
],
"suggested_hubs": [],
"social": {
"tweet": "Review proposes that anthropogenic RF from military/meteorological radars could contribute to some unexplained mass cetacean strandings, suggesting possible mechanisms like echolocation/communication interference; authors stress it is a testable hypothesis needing empirical study.",
"facebook": "A 2024 review explores whether radiofrequency emissions from military and meteorological radars might help explain some mass cetacean strandings with unknown causes. It reports spatial/temporal patterns near radar installations and proposes mechanisms such as interference with echolocation, while emphasizing the idea is theoretical and needs further research.",
"linkedin": "This review article examines a hypothesis that anthropogenic RF radiation from military and meteorological radars may contribute to certain unexplained mass cetacean strandings. It discusses reported spatial/temporal patterns and plausible physiological mechanisms (e.g., echolocation/communication interference) and calls for empirical studies to test the hypothesis."
}
}
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