Introducing energy into marine environments: A lab-scale static magnetic field submarine cable simulation and its effects on sperm and larval development on a reef forming serpulid

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) · 2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 512

Static magnetic field exposure at 1 mT produced statistically significant effects on sperm membranes, DNA integrity, kinetic parameters, and mitochondrial activity. Fertilization rate was significantly reduced when sperm were exposed to 1 mT for 3 h versus co…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) · 2023

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Introducing energy into marine environments: A lab-scale static magnetic field submarine cable simulation and its effects on sperm and larval development on a reef forming serpulid Oliva M, De Marchi L, Cuccaro A, Fumagalli G, Freitas R, Fontana N, Raugi M, Barmada S, Pretti C. Introducing energy into marine environments: A lab-scale static magnetic field submarine cable simulation and its effects on sperm and larval development on a reef forming serpulid. Environ Pollut. 2023 Apr 19;328:121625. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121625. Abstract Non-chemical sources of anthropogenic environmental stress, such as artificial lights, noise and magnetic fields, are still an underestimate factor that may affect the wildlife. Marine environments are constantly subjected to these kinds of stress, especially nearby to urbanized coastal areas. In the present work, the effect of static magnetic fields, associated with submerged electric cables, was evaluated in gametes and early life stages of a serpulid polychaete, namely Ficopomatus enigmaticus. Specifically, biochemical/physiological impairments of sperm, fertilization rate inhibition and incorrect larval development were assessed. We evaluated differences between two selected magnetic field induction values (0.5 and 1 mT) along a range of exposure times (30 min- 48 h), for a sound evaluation on this species. We found that a magnetic induction of 1 mT, a typical value that can be found at distance of tens of cm from a submerged cable, may be considered a biologically and ecologically relevant for sessile organisms and for coastal environments more generally. This value exerted statistically significant effects on membranes, DNA integrity, kinetic parameters and mitochondrial activity of sperm cells. Moreover, a significant reduction in fertilization rate was observed in sperm exposed to the same magnetic induction level (1 mT) for 3 h, compared to controls. Regarding early larval stages, 48-h exposure did not affect the correct development. Our results represent a starting point for a future focus of research on magnetic field effects on early life stages of aquatic invertebrates, using model species as representative for reef-forming/encrusting organisms and ecological indicators of soft sediment quality. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationSerpulid polychaete (Ficopomatus enigmaticus) gametes and early life stages (sperm, fertilization, larvae)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 30 min–48 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Sperm biochemical/physiological impairments (membranes, DNA integrity, kinetic parameters, mitochondrial activity)
Fertilization rate
Larval development (correct development after 48 h exposure)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Laboratory simulation may not fully represent real-world submarine cable exposure conditions
Only two magnetic induction levels (0.5 and 1 mT) and selected exposure durations were tested

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "submarine cable simulation",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 min–48 h"
  },
  "population": "Serpulid polychaete (Ficopomatus enigmaticus) gametes and early life stages (sperm, fertilization, larvae)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Sperm biochemical/physiological impairments (membranes, DNA integrity, kinetic parameters, mitochondrial activity)",
    "Fertilization rate",
    "Larval development (correct development after 48 h exposure)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Static magnetic field exposure at 1 mT produced statistically significant effects on sperm membranes, DNA integrity, kinetic parameters, and mitochondrial activity. Fertilization rate was significantly reduced when sperm were exposed to 1 mT for 3 h versus controls. A 48-h exposure did not affect correct larval development.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Laboratory simulation may not fully represent real-world submarine cable exposure conditions",
    "Only two magnetic induction levels (0.5 and 1 mT) and selected exposure durations were tested"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static magnetic field",
    "submarine cable",
    "marine environment",
    "Ficopomatus enigmaticus",
    "sperm",
    "fertilization",
    "larval development",
    "magnetic induction",
    "1 mT",
    "0.5 mT"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Exposure context relates to electric cables, but study is marine wildlife rather than human occupational exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121625
PubMed: 37085101

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