Impact of magnetic fields generated by AC/DC submarine power cables on the behavior of juvenile European lobster (Homarus gammarus)

Type Article
Date 2020-03
Language English
Author(s) Taormina Bastien1, 2, Di Poi CaroleORCID3, Agnalt Ann-Lisbeth4, Carlier AntoineORCID2, Desroy NicolasORCID5, Escobar-Lux Rosa Helena6, D’eu Jean-François7, Freytet Florian6, Durif Caroline M.F.6
Affiliation(s) 1 : France Energies Marines, 525 avenue Alexis de Rochon, 29280 Plouzané, France
2 : Ifremer, Centre de Bretagne, DYNECO - Laboratoire d’écologie benthique côtière, ZI de la Pointe du Diable - CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
3 : Ifremer, Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Environnement Marin (LEMAR) UMR 6539 UBO/CNRS/IRD/Ifremer; CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
4 : Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway
5 : Ifremer, Laboratoire Environnement Ressources Bretagne Nord, 38 rue du Port Blanc, 35801, Dinard, France
6 : Institute of Marine Research, Austevoll Research Station, Sauganeset 16, N-5392, Storebø, Norway
7 : Mappem Geophysics, Batiment Tech-Iroise, 1 rue des Ateliers, Zone de Mespaol, 29290, Saint-Renan, France
Source Aquatic Toxicology (0166-445X) (Elsevier BV), 2020-03 , Vol. 220 , P. 105401
DOI 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105401
WOS© Times Cited 22
Keyword(s) Anthropogenic impact, Behavior, Homarus gammarus, Magnetic field, Submarine power cable
Abstract

The number of submarine power cables using either direct or alternating current is expected to increase drastically in coming decades. Data concerning the impact of magnetic fields generated by these cables on marine invertebrates are scarce. In this context, the aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of anthropogenic static and time-varying magnetic fields on the behavior of recently settled juvenile European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) using two different behavioral assays. Day-light conditions were used to stimulate the sheltering behavior and facilitate the video tracking. We showed that juvenile lobsters did not exhibit any change of behavior when submitted to an artificial magnetic field gradient (maximum intensity of 200 µT) compared to non-exposed lobsters in the ambient magnetic field. Additionally, no influence was noted on either the lobsters’ ability to find shelter or modified their exploratory behavior after one week of exposure to anthropogenic magnetic fields (225 ± 5 µT) which remained similar to those observed in control individuals. It appears that static and time-varying anthropogenic magnetic fields, at these intensities, do not significantly impact the behavior of juvenile European lobsters in daylight conditions. Nevertheless, to form a complete picture for this biological model, further studies are needed on the other life stages as they may respond differently.

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Taormina Bastien, Di Poi Carole, Agnalt Ann-Lisbeth, Carlier Antoine, Desroy Nicolas, Escobar-Lux Rosa Helena, D’eu Jean-François, Freytet Florian, Durif Caroline M.F. (2020). Impact of magnetic fields generated by AC/DC submarine power cables on the behavior of juvenile European lobster (Homarus gammarus). Aquatic Toxicology, 220, 105401. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105401 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00599/71152/