The impact of electromagnetic fields generated by high-voltage power lines on the spatial arrangement of pike (Esox Lucius Linnaeus 1758) embryos.

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2024 · No effect · Low evidence

← Research stream

No effectLow evidencePaper 5849

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2024

Study typeanimal

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Urbanization and technological advancements result in the dispersion of antropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMF) that can affect on ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to understand their impact on the environment. Aquatic ecosystems are subject to EMF as part of various electricity sources, e.g., high-voltage transmission lines (HVTL). We examined the impact of EMF generated by HVTL on the spatial arrangement and survival of pike (Esox lucius) embryos. Fertilized eggs were incubated under two HVTL configurations 110 kV and 220 kV compared with a control group devoid of anthropogenic EMF. Embryo orientation and survival were monitored until blastopore closure. The control group showed dominance in the arrangement of embryos along the N-S, NNW-SSE, and NNE-SSW axes, with a slight prevalence of northern directions. EMF originating from HVTL did not exert a significant influence on the spatial arrangement of pike embryos, although some deviations from the arrangement noticed in the control group were observed. Increased embryo mortality was observed only at 110 kV site, but probably due to factors unrelated to EMF. In conclusion, EMF generated by HVTL did not significantly change pike embryo orientation or chances of survival. However, longer exposure or higher EMF levels could provoke notable reactions, requiring ongoing evaluation as power networks continue to spread more widely.

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 directionno_effect

Populationpike (Esox lucius) embryos (fertilized eggs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposureuntil blastopore closure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with a control group without anthropogenic EMF, incubation under two HVTL configurations (110 kV and 220 kV) showed no significant influence of HVTL-generated EMF on pike embryo spatial arrangement. Increased embryo mortality was observed only at the 110 kV site, but the authors suggest it was probably due to factors unrelated to EMF; overall, HVTL EMF did not significantly change embryo orientation or chances of survival.

Outcomes measured

Embryo spatial arrangement/orientation (axes/directions)
Embryo survival/mortality (until blastopore closure)

Limitations

No sample size reported in the abstract
Exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, frequency) not reported in the abstract
Mortality increase at 110 kV site may be confounded by non-EMF factors (as noted by authors)
Outcomes monitored only until blastopore closure (short exposure window)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "high-voltage transmission lines (HVTL)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "until blastopore closure"
  },
  "population": "pike (Esox lucius) embryos (fertilized eggs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Embryo spatial arrangement/orientation (axes/directions)",
    "Embryo survival/mortality (until blastopore closure)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Compared with a control group without anthropogenic EMF, incubation under two HVTL configurations (110 kV and 220 kV) showed no significant influence of HVTL-generated EMF on pike embryo spatial arrangement. Increased embryo mortality was observed only at the 110 kV site, but the authors suggest it was probably due to factors unrelated to EMF; overall, HVTL EMF did not significantly change embryo orientation or chances of survival.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "No sample size reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, frequency) not reported in the abstract",
    "Mortality increase at 110 kV site may be confounded by non-EMF factors (as noted by authors)",
    "Outcomes monitored only until blastopore closure (short exposure window)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "high-voltage transmission lines",
    "HVTL",
    "pike",
    "Esox lucius",
    "embryos",
    "spatial arrangement",
    "orientation",
    "survival",
    "mortality",
    "aquatic ecosystems"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study concerns EMF from high-voltage power infrastructure; relevant to power-line exposure contexts."
    }
  ]
}

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: 10.1007/s11356-024-34300-y
PubMed: 38992303

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library