Effect of electromagnetic fields from renewable energy subsea power cables on righting reflex and physiological response of coastal invertebrates.

Abstract

Offshore renewables are expanding, yet more information is required to understand their possible impacts on the environment. Little is known about the effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) from subsea power cables on marine life. This study simulated an EMF of 500 μT, as modelled for an export cable over a rocky shore, where the industry standard cable burial would not be possible. Righting reflex, refractive index of haemolymph/coelomic fluid, and total haemocyte/coelomocyte counts were measured for four coastal invertebrates (Asterias rubens, Echinus esculentus, Necora puber, and Littorina littorea). No significant differences were found in either behavioural or physiological responses. This was the first study to investigate EMF exposure on righting reflex, and the first ever EMF study on edible sea urchins and periwinkles, and only one of a couple for common starfish and velvet crabs. It therefore, provides valuable data for environmental impact assessments, marine spatial planning, and commercial fisheries.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The study simulated an EMF of 500 μT modelled for an export subsea power cable over a rocky shore. No significant differences were found in behavioural (righting reflex) or physiological measures (refractive index; haemocyte/coelomocyte counts) for the four invertebrate species tested.

Outcomes measured

• Righting reflex
• Refractive index of haemolymph/coelomic fluid
• Total haemocyte/coelomocyte counts

Limitations

• Frequency characteristics of the EMF were not stated in the abstract.
• Exposure duration and sample size were not reported in the abstract.
• Only one exposure level (500 μT) was described in the abstract.
• Findings are limited to the four coastal invertebrate species studied and the simulated rocky-shore export-cable scenario.

Suggested hubs

• renewable-energy-cables (0.9)
  Study simulates EMF from offshore renewable energy subsea export power cables and assesses biological effects.
• marine-wildlife (0.75)
  Outcomes measured in coastal marine invertebrates relevant to environmental impact assessment.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "subsea power cable (offshore renewables export cable; simulated)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Coastal marine invertebrates: Asterias rubens, Echinus esculentus, Necora puber, Littorina littorea",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Righting reflex",
        "Refractive index of haemolymph/coelomic fluid",
        "Total haemocyte/coelomocyte counts"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The study simulated an EMF of 500 μT modelled for an export subsea power cable over a rocky shore. No significant differences were found in behavioural (righting reflex) or physiological measures (refractive index; haemocyte/coelomocyte counts) for the four invertebrate species tested.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency characteristics of the EMF were not stated in the abstract.",
        "Exposure duration and sample size were not reported in the abstract.",
        "Only one exposure level (500 μT) was described in the abstract.",
        "Findings are limited to the four coastal invertebrate species studied and the simulated rocky-shore export-cable scenario."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "EMF",
        "subsea power cables",
        "offshore renewables",
        "export cable",
        "rocky shore",
        "marine invertebrates",
        "righting reflex",
        "haemolymph",
        "coelomic fluid",
        "haemocyte count",
        "coelomocyte count",
        "Asterias rubens",
        "Echinus esculentus",
        "Necora puber",
        "Littorina littorea"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "renewable-energy-cables",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study simulates EMF from offshore renewable energy subsea export power cables and assesses biological effects."
        },
        {
            "slug": "marine-wildlife",
            "weight": 0.75,
            "reason": "Outcomes measured in coastal marine invertebrates relevant to environmental impact assessment."
        }
    ]
}

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