Anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMF) influence the behaviour of bottom-dwelling marine species.

Abstract

Many marine animals have evolved sensory abilities to use electric and magnetic cues in essential aspects of life history, such as to detect prey, predators and mates as well as to orientate and migrate. Potential disruption of vital cues by human activities must be understood in order to mitigate potential negative influences. Cable deployments in coastal waters are increasing worldwide, in capacity and number, owing to growing demands for electrical power and telecommunications. Increasingly, the local electromagnetic environment used by electro- and magneto-sensitive species will be altered. We quantified biologically relevant behavioural responses of the presumed, magneto-receptive American lobster and the electro-sensitive Little skate to electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions of a subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cable for domestic electricity supply. We demonstrate a striking increase in exploratory/foraging behaviour in skates in response to EMF and a more subtle exploratory response in lobsters. In addition, by directly measuring both the magnetic and electric field components of the EMF emitted by HVDC cables we found that there were DC and unexpectedly AC components. Modelling, restricted to the DC component, showed good agreement with measured results. Our cross-disciplinary study highlights the need to integrate an understanding of the natural and anthropogenic EMF environment together with the responses of sensitive animals when planning future cable deployments and predicting their environmental effects.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Behavioral responses were observed in two bottom-dwelling marine species exposed to EMF emissions from a subsea HVDC transmission cable. Little skates showed a striking increase in exploratory/foraging behavior in response to EMF, while American lobsters showed a more subtle exploratory response. Direct measurements indicated both DC and unexpectedly AC components in the emitted fields, and DC-only modeling agreed well with measured results.

Outcomes measured

• Exploratory/foraging behavior (Little skate)
• Exploratory behavior (American lobster)
• Measured magnetic and electric field components of HVDC cable emissions (DC and AC components)
• Agreement between modeled (DC-only) and measured EMF components

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Exposure levels/distances and detailed experimental conditions not reported in abstract
• Modeling described as restricted to the DC component; implications of AC component not fully addressed in abstract

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0)

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cable",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "American lobster (presumed magneto-receptive) and Little skate (electro-sensitive)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Exploratory/foraging behavior (Little skate)",
        "Exploratory behavior (American lobster)",
        "Measured magnetic and electric field components of HVDC cable emissions (DC and AC components)",
        "Agreement between modeled (DC-only) and measured EMF components"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Behavioral responses were observed in two bottom-dwelling marine species exposed to EMF emissions from a subsea HVDC transmission cable. Little skates showed a striking increase in exploratory/foraging behavior in response to EMF, while American lobsters showed a more subtle exploratory response. Direct measurements indicated both DC and unexpectedly AC components in the emitted fields, and DC-only modeling agreed well with measured results.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure levels/distances and detailed experimental conditions not reported in abstract",
        "Modeling described as restricted to the DC component; implications of AC component not fully addressed in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "anthropogenic EMF",
        "marine animals",
        "subsea cable",
        "HVDC",
        "electric field",
        "magnetic field",
        "behavior",
        "American lobster",
        "Little skate"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0,
            "reason": null
        }
    ]
}

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