A current synthesis on the effects of electric and magnetic fields emitted by submarine power cables on invertebrates

Type Article
Date 2020-07
Language English
Author(s) Albert Luana1, 2, Deschamps François3, Jolivet Aurélie1, Olivier Frédéric4, 5, Chauvaud Laurent2, Chauvaud Sylvain1
Affiliation(s) 1 : TBM Environnement, Porte Océane Bloc 03, 2 rue de Suède, 56400, Auray, France
2 : Univ. Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, rue Dumont D'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
3 : RTE, Immeuble Window, 7C place du Dôme, 92073, Paris La Défense Cedex, France
4 : Biologie des Organismes et écosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA, UMR 7208), MNHN/SU/UNICAEN/UA/CNRS/IRD, 61 Rue Buffon CP53, 75005, Paris, France
5 : Station Marine de Concarneau, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Place de la Croix, BP 225, 29182, Concarneau Cedex, France
Source Marine Environmental Research (0141-1136) (Elsevier BV), 2020-07 , Vol. 159 , P. 104958 (16p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104958
WOS© Times Cited 20
Abstract The goal of clean renewable energy production has promoted the large-scale deployment of marine renewable energy devices, and their associated submarine cable network. Power cables produce both electric and magnetic fields that raise environmental concerns as many marine organisms have magneto and electroreception abilities used for vital purposes. Magnetic and electric fields' intensities decrease with distance away from the cable. Accordingly, the benthic and the sedimentary compartments are exposed to the highest field values. Although marine invertebrate species are the major fauna of these potentially exposed areas, they have so far received little attention. We provide extensive background knowledge on natural and anthropogenic marine sources of magnetic and electric fields. We then compile evidence for magneto- and electro-sensitivity in marine invertebrates and further highlight what is currently known about their interactions with artificial sources of magnetic and electric fields. Finally we discuss the main gaps and future challenges that require further investigation.
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