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Weak Broadband Electromagnetic Fields are More Disruptive to Magnetic Compass Orientation in a Night-Migratory Songbird (Erithacus rubecula) than Strong Narrow-Band Fields.

No Effects Found

Schwarze S, Schneider NL, Reichl T, Dreyer D, Lefeldt N, Engels S, Baker N, Hore PJ, Mouritsen H. · 2016

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Weak broadband EMF fields disrupted bird navigation more than strong single-frequency fields, suggesting our complex electromagnetic environment poses unique biological risks.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied how electromagnetic fields affect the magnetic compass navigation system in European robins, which these birds use during nighttime migration. They found that weak broadband electromagnetic fields (covering frequencies from 2 kHz to 9 MHz) completely disrupted the birds' ability to navigate using Earth's magnetic field, while stronger narrow-band fields at specific frequencies had no effect. This suggests that the complex mix of frequencies in our modern electromagnetic environment may be more harmful to biological systems than previously thought.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz - 9 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 Hz - 9 MHzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 1.315 MHz or 50 Hz, ~2 kHz to ~9 MHz

Study Details

Magnetic compass orientation in night-migratory songbirds is embedded in the visual system and seems to be based on a light-dependent radical pair mechanism. Recent findings suggest that both broadband electromagnetic fields ranging from ~2 kHz to ~9 MHz and narrow-band fields at the so-called Larmor frequency for a free electron in the Earth's magnetic field can disrupt this mechanism. However, due to local magnetic fields generated by nuclear spins, effects specific to the Larmor frequency are difficult to understand considering that the primary sensory molecule should be organic and probably a protein. We therefore constructed a purpose-built laboratory and tested the orientation capabilities of European robins in an electromagnetically silent environment, under the specific influence of four different oscillating narrow-band electromagnetic fields, at the Larmor frequency, double the Larmor frequency, 1.315 MHz or 50 Hz, and in the presence of broadband electromagnetic noise covering the range from ~2 kHz to ~9 MHz.

Our results indicated that the magnetic compass orientation of European robins could not be disrupte...

Cite This Study
Schwarze S, Schneider NL, Reichl T, Dreyer D, Lefeldt N, Engels S, Baker N, Hore PJ, Mouritsen H. (2016). Weak Broadband Electromagnetic Fields are More Disruptive to Magnetic Compass Orientation in a Night-Migratory Songbird (Erithacus rubecula) than Strong Narrow-Band Fields. Front Behav Neurosci. 2016 Mar 22;10:55.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2016_weak_broadband_electromagnetic_fields_3386,
  author = {Schwarze S and Schneider NL and Reichl T and Dreyer D and Lefeldt N and Engels S and Baker N and Hore PJ and Mouritsen H. },
  title = {Weak Broadband Electromagnetic Fields are More Disruptive to Magnetic Compass Orientation in a Night-Migratory Songbird (Erithacus rubecula) than Strong Narrow-Band Fields.},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27047356/},
}
PubMed: 27047356

Cited By (97 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, electromagnetic fields can disrupt bird navigation. A 2016 study found that weak broadband EMF (2 kHz to 9 MHz) completely disrupted European robins' magnetic compass abilities during nighttime migration, while stronger single-frequency fields had no effect on their navigation.
Research suggests weak broadband EMF may be more disruptive than strong narrow-band signals. European robins lost their magnetic navigation ability when exposed to weak multi-frequency EMF fields, but maintained normal compass orientation when exposed to stronger single-frequency electromagnetic fields.
Studies indicate broadband EMF may be more problematic than single frequencies. Researchers found that weak broadband electromagnetic fields (covering multiple frequencies) completely disrupted bird navigation systems, while stronger fields at specific single frequencies caused no navigational disruption whatsoever.
Yes, modern electromagnetic environments can impact animal behavior. European robins completely lost their magnetic compass abilities when exposed to weak broadband EMF similar to modern electronic pollution, suggesting our complex electromagnetic environment may disrupt natural biological processes.
Radio frequencies can interfere with magnetic field detection in animals. European robins exposed to broadband radio frequencies (2 kHz to 9 MHz) lost their ability to sense Earth's magnetic field for navigation, while single radio frequencies didn't affect their magnetic compass system.