Effects of electromagnetic fields from an alternating current power cable on the embryogenesis of three benthic associated marine species.

Abstract

The global expansion in offshore renewable energy, primarily through offshore wind, is associated with the proliferation of subsea power cables (SPCs) throughout marine and coastal benthic environments. The transmission of electrical power through these SPCs will introduce electromagnetic fields (EMFs) into the seabed and the adjacent water column, which raises questions regarding the potential impact on benthic fauna, particularly during critical developmental early-life stages for which research considering the effects of both the electric and magnetic components of SPC EMFs is lacking. We conducted an experiment on three benthic egg-laying species, - the elasmobranch Scyliorhinus canicula, the cephalopod Loligo vulgaris, and the cephalopod Sepia officinalis - found in areas under consideration for the routing of SPCs. We exposed the embryos to realistic EMF levels (magnetic field 4-6 μT) recreated in the laboratory using an AC power cable set-up that simulated the EMF conditions, and examined the morphological, physiological, and behavioural responses. Our findings indicate subtle responses to EMF exposure in S. canicula and L. vulgaris with faster growth rates and morphometric differences, but no responses in S. officinalis. Our results highlight the value of a multiple end point approach to determine the potential influence of chronic exposure to EMFs on embryogenesis in benthic fauna and provide a baseline for future studies to build upon. Although our study cannot extrapolate the consequences of individual-level effects to population-level impacts, it does underscore the necessity of realistic and longer-term studies to assess the potential consequences of EMFs to marine fauna.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Embryos were exposed to realistic EMF levels recreated in the laboratory (magnetic field 4–6 μT) using an AC power cable set-up. Subtle responses were observed in Scyliorhinus canicula and Loligo vulgaris (faster growth rates and morphometric differences), while no responses were reported in Sepia officinalis.

Outcomes measured

• Embryogenesis
• Growth rate
• Morphometrics
• Morphological responses
• Physiological responses
• Behavioural responses

Limitations

• Exposure duration not specified in abstract
• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Only magnetic field magnitude (4–6 μT) reported; electric field component not quantified in abstract
• Laboratory simulation; population-level impacts not assessed/extrapolated

Suggested hubs

• offshore-wind-subsea-cables (0.92)
  Study examines embryonic effects of EMFs generated by alternating-current subsea power cable conditions relevant to offshore renewable energy infrastructure.
• marine-wildlife (0.78)
  Animal study on benthic marine species embryos assessing developmental endpoints under EMF exposure.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "subsea power cable (AC power cable set-up simulating SPC EMFs)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "chronic (embryo exposure; duration not specified)"
    },
    "population": "Embryos of three benthic egg-laying marine species: Scyliorhinus canicula, Loligo vulgaris, Sepia officinalis",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Embryogenesis",
        "Growth rate",
        "Morphometrics",
        "Morphological responses",
        "Physiological responses",
        "Behavioural responses"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Embryos were exposed to realistic EMF levels recreated in the laboratory (magnetic field 4–6 μT) using an AC power cable set-up. Subtle responses were observed in Scyliorhinus canicula and Loligo vulgaris (faster growth rates and morphometric differences), while no responses were reported in Sepia officinalis.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure duration not specified in abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Only magnetic field magnitude (4–6 μT) reported; electric field component not quantified in abstract",
        "Laboratory simulation; population-level impacts not assessed/extrapolated"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "EMF",
        "subsea power cables",
        "offshore wind",
        "alternating current",
        "ELF magnetic field",
        "benthic fauna",
        "embryogenesis",
        "early-life stages",
        "Scyliorhinus canicula",
        "Loligo vulgaris",
        "Sepia officinalis"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "offshore-wind-subsea-cables",
            "weight": 0.92000000000000003996802888650563545525074005126953125,
            "reason": "Study examines embryonic effects of EMFs generated by alternating-current subsea power cable conditions relevant to offshore renewable energy infrastructure."
        },
        {
            "slug": "marine-wildlife",
            "weight": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
            "reason": "Animal study on benthic marine species embryos assessing developmental endpoints under EMF exposure."
        }
    ]
}

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