Are MF and EMF of anthropogenic origin potential threats to early life stages of fish?

2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 1893

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Are MF and EMF of anthropogenic origin potential threats to early life stages of fish? Fey DP, Jakubowska M, Greszkiewicz M, Andrulewicz E, Otremba Z, Urban-Malinga B. Are magnetic and electromagnetic fields of anthropogenic origin potential threats to early life stages of fish? Aquat Toxicol. 2019 Jan 30;209:150-158. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.01.023. Abstract The number of underwater cables transferring electric current in sea and freshwater environments is constantly increasing. As a result, the risk of negative effects of magnetic fields generated in the vicinity of those cables on fish eggs and larvae is also growing. This is especially the case for species that settle on the bottom for certain periods of time during early development. To study those effects, eggs and larvae of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were subjected under experimental conditions to a static magnetic field (MF) of 10 m T and a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) of 1 m T for a period of 36 days (i.e., from eyed egg stage to approximately 26 days post hatching, dph). Neither MF nor EMF had significant effect on embryonic or larval mortality, hatching time, larval growth, or the time of larvae swim-up from the bottom. However, both MF and EMF enhanced the yolk-sac absorption rate. Although it was not related directly to magnetic field effect, it was also shown that larvae with absorbed yolk-sacs by the time of swim-up were less efficient in taking advantage of available food at first feeding (i.e., obtained smaller weight at age). That indicates the importance of processes affecting yolk-sac absorption rate. 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

PopulationRainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs and larvae

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 36 days (from eyed egg stage to ~26 days post-hatching)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Under experimental conditions, exposure to a static magnetic field (10 mT) or a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (1 mT) for 36 days did not significantly affect embryonic/larval mortality, hatching time, larval growth, or swim-up timing. Both exposures enhanced yolk-sac absorption rate. Larvae with absorbed yolk-sacs by swim-up were reported to obtain smaller weight at first feeding, though this was stated as not directly related to magnetic field effect.

Outcomes measured

embryonic mortality
larval mortality
hatching time
larval growth
time of larvae swim-up from the bottom
yolk-sac absorption rate
weight at first feeding (age/weight outcome mentioned)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure levels may not represent typical environmental levels near cables (not quantified in abstract)
Only one fish species and early life stages studied
Mechanistic basis for increased yolk-sac absorption not established in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "underwater power cables (context); experimental exposure",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "36 days (from eyed egg stage to ~26 days post-hatching)"
  },
  "population": "Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs and larvae",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "embryonic mortality",
    "larval mortality",
    "hatching time",
    "larval growth",
    "time of larvae swim-up from the bottom",
    "yolk-sac absorption rate",
    "weight at first feeding (age/weight outcome mentioned)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Under experimental conditions, exposure to a static magnetic field (10 mT) or a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (1 mT) for 36 days did not significantly affect embryonic/larval mortality, hatching time, larval growth, or swim-up timing. Both exposures enhanced yolk-sac absorption rate. Larvae with absorbed yolk-sacs by swim-up were reported to obtain smaller weight at first feeding, though this was stated as not directly related to magnetic field effect.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure levels may not represent typical environmental levels near cables (not quantified in abstract)",
    "Only one fish species and early life stages studied",
    "Mechanistic basis for increased yolk-sac absorption not established in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "magnetic field",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "underwater cables",
    "static magnetic field",
    "50 Hz",
    "ELF",
    "fish eggs",
    "fish larvae",
    "rainbow trout",
    "Oncorhynchus mykiss",
    "yolk-sac absorption",
    "aquatic toxicology"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Mentions anthropogenic underwater power cables as the motivating exposure source, though study is experimental in fish rather than occupational."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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.aquatox.2019.01.023
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library