Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from Submarine Power Cables Can Trigger Strength-Dependent Behavioural and Physiological Responses in Edible Crab

2021 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 689

The study tested EMF exposures of 250 µT, 500 µT, and 1000 µT over 24 h. Exposure at 250 µT had limited physiological and behavioural impacts, while 500 µT and 1000 µT disrupted L-lactate and D-glucose circadian rhythms, altered total haemocyte count, and wer…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2021

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields from Submarine Power Cables Can Trigger Strength-Dependent Behavioural and Physiological Responses in Edible Crab Scott K, Harsanyi P, Easton BAA, Piper AJR, Rochas CMV, Lyndon AR. Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) from Submarine Power Cables Can Trigger Strength-Dependent Behavioural and Physiological Responses in Edible Crab, Cancer pagurus (L.). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2021; 9(7):776. doi.org Abstract The current study investigated the effects of different strength Electromagnetic Field (EMF) exposure (250 µT, 500 µT, 1000 µT) on the commercially important decapod, edible crab (Cancer pagurus, Linnaeus, 1758). Stress related parameters were measured (L-Lactate, D-Glucose, Total Haemocyte Count (THC)) in addition to behavioural and response parameters (shelter preference and time spent resting/roaming) over 24 h periods. EMF strengths of 250 µT were found to have limited physiological and behavioural impacts. Exposure to 500 µT and 1000 µT were found to disrupt the L-Lactate and D-Glucose circadian rhythm and alter THC. Crabs showed a clear attraction to EMF exposed (500 µT and 1000 µT) shelters with a significant reduction in time spent roaming. Consequently, EMF emitted from MREDs will likely affect crabs in a strength-dependent manner thus highlighting the need for reliable in-situ measurements. This information is essential for policy making, environmental assessments, and in understanding the impacts of increased anthropogenic EMF on marine organisms. Conclusions The results obtained from this study, combined with the data from previous work [13,41], suggests that increased physiological stress will occur if C. pagurus is exposed to EMF of 500 µT or above with data obtained at 1000 µT, 2.8 mT and 40 mT confirming this trend. This is mirrored in the behavioural trends noted, which showed an attraction to EMF sources at the same levels despite the physiological ramifications. This suggests that a working limit of a maximum of 250 µT could result in minimal physiological and behavioural changes within this species and should be considered during MRED design and implementation. Additional research is required to further identify sensitivities to EMF in different life stages and conditions within this species and benthic crustaceans in general. 250 µT = 2,500 Milligauss Open access paper: mdpi.com

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 directionharm

PopulationEdible crab (Cancer pagurus)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 24 h periods

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Stress-related parameters (L-Lactate, D-Glucose, Total Haemocyte Count (THC))
Behavioural responses (shelter preference, time spent resting/roaming)
Disruption of circadian rhythm (L-Lactate and D-Glucose)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
EMF frequency characteristics not reported (only field strength in µT)
Short exposure duration (24 h)
Findings are in a single marine species; generalizability to other species/life stages not established

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "submarine power cables",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24 h periods"
  },
  "population": "Edible crab (Cancer pagurus)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Stress-related parameters (L-Lactate, D-Glucose, Total Haemocyte Count (THC))",
    "Behavioural responses (shelter preference, time spent resting/roaming)",
    "Disruption of circadian rhythm (L-Lactate and D-Glucose)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The study tested EMF exposures of 250 µT, 500 µT, and 1000 µT over 24 h. Exposure at 250 µT had limited physiological and behavioural impacts, while 500 µT and 1000 µT disrupted L-lactate and D-glucose circadian rhythms, altered total haemocyte count, and were associated with attraction to EMF-exposed shelters and reduced roaming.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "EMF frequency characteristics not reported (only field strength in µT)",
    "Short exposure duration (24 h)",
    "Findings are in a single marine species; generalizability to other species/life stages not established"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "submarine power cables",
    "marine renewable energy devices",
    "edible crab",
    "Cancer pagurus",
    "behaviour",
    "physiology",
    "stress markers",
    "L-lactate",
    "D-glucose",
    "total haemocyte count",
    "circadian rhythm",
    "µT"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Not occupational; included only weakly as exposure assessment context is environmental rather than human."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/jmse9070776
PubMed: Not supplied

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