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Jakubowska M, Urban-Malinga B, Otremba Z, Andrulewicz E

Bioeffects Seen

Authors not listed · 2019

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Underwater power cables alter fish development through electromagnetic fields, potentially compromising early feeding success despite normal survival rates.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rainbow trout eggs and larvae to magnetic fields similar to those from underwater power cables for 36 days. While the electromagnetic fields didn't affect survival or growth, they did speed up how quickly the fish absorbed their yolk sacs, which could impact their ability to feed effectively after hatching.

Why This Matters

This study matters because it reveals how underwater power cables create electromagnetic pollution that affects marine life development, even at levels considered 'safe.' The 10 mT static field and 1 mT at 50 Hz field strengths tested here are comparable to what fish encounter near submarine power cables that increasingly crisscross our waterways. What's particularly concerning is the subtle metabolic disruption - faster yolk absorption that compromises feeding success. The science demonstrates that EMF effects aren't always about immediate death or obvious deformity. Sometimes the impacts are more insidious, affecting fundamental biological processes that determine survival in the wild. As we expand offshore wind farms and underwater electrical infrastructure, we're essentially conducting a massive experiment on marine ecosystems without fully understanding the consequences.

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 (2019). Jakubowska M, Urban-Malinga B, Otremba Z, Andrulewicz E.
Show BibTeX
@article{jakubowska_m_urban_malinga_b_otremba_z_andrulewicz_e_ce4420,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Jakubowska M, Urban-Malinga B, Otremba Z, Andrulewicz E},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.01.023},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.01.023PubMed: 30780112

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, electromagnetic fields from underwater cables speed up yolk sac absorption in rainbow trout larvae. While this doesn't kill the fish, it may reduce their feeding efficiency when they first start eating, potentially affecting survival in natural environments.
This study used 10 mT static magnetic fields and 1 mT at 50 Hz electromagnetic fields, which are comparable to field strengths that fish encounter in the vicinity of underwater power transmission cables in marine environments.
Yes, 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 1 mT enhanced yolk sac absorption rates in rainbow trout larvae without affecting mortality, hatching time, or growth. This shows EMF can alter biological processes even when survival appears normal.
The rainbow trout were exposed to electromagnetic fields for 36 days total, from the eyed egg stage through approximately 26 days after hatching. This covers critical early development periods when fish are most vulnerable.
Yes, the study found that larvae with absorbed yolk sacs by swim-up time were less efficient at taking advantage of available food during first feeding, resulting in smaller weight gain compared to normal larvae.