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Title: Effects of EMF emissions from undersea electric cables on coral reef fish

Journal Article · · BioElectroMagnetics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.22092· OSTI ID:1464401
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [1]
  1. Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography Dania Beach Florida
  2. Institute for Oceans and Systems Engineering—SeaTech Florida Atlantic University Dania Beach Florida
  3. Institute of Physiological Psychology I Heinrich‐Heine University of Düsseldorf Düsseldorf Germany
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The objective of this study was to determine if electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from undersea power cables impacted local marine life, with an emphasis on coral reef fish. The work was done at the South Florida Ocean Measurement Facility of Naval Surface Warfare Center in Broward County, Florida, which has a range of active undersea detection and data transmission cables. EMF emissions from a selected cable were created during non‐destructive visual fish surveys on SCUBA. During surveys, the transmission of either alternating current (AC), direct current (DC), or none (OFF) was randomly initiated by the facility at a specified time. Visual surveys were conducted using standardized transect and point‐count methods to acquire reef fish abundances and species richness prior to and immediately after a change in transmission frequency. The divers were also tasked to note the reaction of the reef fish to the immediate change in EMF during a power transition. In general, analysis of the data did not find statistical differences among power states and any variables. However, this may be a Type II error as there are strong indications of a potential difference of a higher abundance of reef fish at the sites when the power was off, and further study is warranted. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:35–52, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
DE‐EE0006386
OSTI ID:
1464401
Journal Information:
BioElectroMagnetics, Journal Name: BioElectroMagnetics Vol. 39 Journal Issue: 1; ISSN 0197-8462
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 4 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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