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Insights into the behavioural responses of juvenile thornback ray Raja clavata to alternating and direct current magnetic fields

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Authors not listed · 2022

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Underwater power cables produce magnetic fields 10 times stronger than Earth's natural field, disrupting ray navigation and behavior patterns.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists exposed juvenile thornback rays to magnetic fields similar to those from underwater power cables, testing both direct current and 50 Hz alternating current at 450 microTesla strength. The rays showed increased activity during midday under direct current exposure and synchronized behaviors under alternating current exposure. This research helps understand how marine renewable energy infrastructure might affect magneto-sensitive marine species like sharks and rays.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something crucial about our expanding underwater electrical infrastructure. As we race to install offshore wind farms and submarine power cables, we're creating magnetic field environments that didn't exist when these ancient species evolved. The reality is that rays and sharks navigate using Earth's natural magnetic field, which measures only about 50 microTesla. These cables are producing fields nearly 10 times stronger at 450 microTesla.

What makes this particularly concerning is the synchronization effect observed with 50 Hz alternating current exposure. This is the same frequency used in European power grids, and when multiple animals start exhibiting synchronized behaviors, it suggests their natural navigation systems are being disrupted. The increased midday activity under direct current fields indicates these exposures are altering normal behavioral patterns. While this study focused on marine life, it demonstrates how artificial magnetic fields can interfere with biological systems that evolved to detect much weaker natural fields.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2022). Insights into the behavioural responses of juvenile thornback ray Raja clavata to alternating and direct current magnetic fields.
Show BibTeX
@article{insights_into_the_behavioural_responses_of_juvenile_thornback_ray_raja_clavata_to_alternating_and_direct_current_magnetic_fields_ce4295,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Insights into the behavioural responses of juvenile thornback ray Raja clavata to alternating and direct current magnetic fields},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1111/jfb.14978},
  
}
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14978PubMed: 34921400

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, juvenile thornback rays showed increased activity during midday when exposed to 450 microTesla direct current magnetic fields and synchronized behaviors under alternating current exposure, indicating disruption of normal behavioral patterns.
Submarine power cables produce magnetic fields of 450 microTesla, nearly 10 times stronger than Earth's natural magnetic field of approximately 50 microTesla that rays evolved to navigate with.
Yes, rays exposed to 50 Hz alternating current magnetic fields exhibited synchronization patterns with chronologic and qualitative similarities, suggesting their natural navigation systems were being disrupted by this European power grid frequency.
Yes, rays showed increased midday activity under direct current magnetic field exposure, while alternating current exposure caused synchronized behavioral patterns, indicating different biological responses to each type of field.
Research suggests yes, as juvenile rays exposed to cable-strength magnetic fields showed altered activity patterns and synchronized behaviors, indicating interference with the natural magnetic navigation systems of sharks and rays.