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Levitt BB, Lai HC, Manville AM. Low-level EMF effects on wildlife and plants: What research tells us about an ecosystem approach. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1000840. [PMID: 36505009 PMCID: PMC9732734 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1000840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There is enough evidence to indicate we may be damaging non-human species at ecosystem and biosphere levels across all taxa from rising background levels of anthropogenic non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) from 0 Hz to 300 GHz. The focus of this Perspective paper is on the unique physiology of non-human species, their extraordinary sensitivity to both natural and anthropogenic EMF, and the likelihood that artificial EMF in the static, extremely low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) ranges of the non-ionizing electromagnetic spectrum are capable at very low intensities of adversely affecting both fauna and flora in all species studied. Any existing exposure standards are for humans only; wildlife is unprotected, including within the safety margins of existing guidelines, which are inappropriate for trans-species sensitivities and different non-human physiology. Mechanistic, genotoxic, and potential ecosystem effects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Blake Levitt
- National Association of Science Writers, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Henry C. Lai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Albert M. Manville
- Advanced Academic Programs, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Policy, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC, United States
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Levitt BB, Lai HC, Manville AM. Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 2 impacts: how species interact with natural and man-made EMF. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:327-406. [PMID: 34243228 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ambient levels of nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) have risen sharply in the last five decades to become a ubiquitous, continuous, biologically active environmental pollutant, even in rural and remote areas. Many species of flora and fauna, because of unique physiologies and habitats, are sensitive to exogenous EMF in ways that surpass human reactivity. This can lead to complex endogenous reactions that are highly variable, largely unseen, and a possible contributing factor in species extinctions, sometimes localized. Non-human magnetoreception mechanisms are explored. Numerous studies across all frequencies and taxa indicate that current low-level anthropogenic EMF can have myriad adverse and synergistic effects, including on orientation and migration, food finding, reproduction, mating, nest and den building, territorial maintenance and defense, and on vitality, longevity and survivorship itself. Effects have been observed in mammals such as bats, cervids, cetaceans, and pinnipeds among others, and on birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, microbes and many species of flora. Cyto- and geno-toxic effects have long been observed in laboratory research on animal models that can be extrapolated to wildlife. Unusual multi-system mechanisms can come into play with non-human species - including in aquatic environments - that rely on the Earth's natural geomagnetic fields for critical life-sustaining information. Part 2 of this 3-part series includes four online supplement tables of effects seen in animals from both ELF and RFR at vanishingly low intensities. Taken as a whole, this indicates enough information to raise concerns about ambient exposures to nonionizing radiation at ecosystem levels. Wildlife loss is often unseen and undocumented until tipping points are reached. It is time to recognize ambient EMF as a novel form of pollution and develop rules at regulatory agencies that designate air as 'habitat' so EMF can be regulated like other pollutants. Long-term chronic low-level EMF exposure standards, which do not now exist, should be set accordingly for wildlife, and environmental laws should be strictly enforced - a subject explored in Part 3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry C Lai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Albert M Manville
- Advanced Academic Programs, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Policy, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC Campus, USA
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Vale JO, Acosta-Avalos D. Magnetosensitivity in the Stingless Bee Tetragonisca angustula: Magnetic Inclination Can Alter the Choice of the Flying Departure Angle From the Nest. Bioelectromagnetics 2020; 42:51-59. [PMID: 33326627 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
It is known that animals are sensitive to the geomagnetic field. In the case of insects, magnetoreception has been reported in several ant species and in some bees and wasps. One study showed that the stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula is able to sense the modification of the magnetic field inclination. The aim of the present manuscript is to continue that study in T. angustula, analyzing the nest arrival and departure angles in the presence of magnetic fields generated by magnets. The bees flying to and from the nest were recorded and the flying trajectories were obtained by analyzing the video frame by frame. The magnetic field was generated by 6, 9, or 12 magnets contained inside an Eppendorf tube and fixed near the nest. Our results show that T. angustula bees are sensitive to magnetic fields because the departure angles are influenced by the magnets. It was observed that these bees are sensitive to the polarization of the magnetic field vector that influences the choice of flying up or down, and this sensitivity has a window until about 80 μT (about four times the local geomagnetic field), with the magnetic field information for higher magnetic field intensities being ignored by the bees. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:51-59. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana O Vale
- Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas (CBPF), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Chicas‐Mosier AM, Radi M, Lafferrandre J, O'Hara JF, Vora HD, Abramson CI. Low Strength Magnetic Fields Serve as a Cue for Foraging Honey Bees but Prior Experience is More Indicative of Choice. Bioelectromagnetics 2020; 41:458-470. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.22285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana M. Chicas‐Mosier
- Department of Integrative Biology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - Medhat Radi
- Department of Pest Physiology Plant Protection Research Institute Dokki Egypt
| | - Jack Lafferrandre
- Department of Psychology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - John F. O'Hara
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - Hitesh D. Vora
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Oklahoma
| | - Charles I. Abramson
- Department of Integrative Biology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
- Department of Psychology Oklahoma State University Stillwater Stillwater Oklahoma
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Vargová B, Majláth I, Kurimský J, Cimbala R, Kosterec M, Tryjanowski P, Jankowiak Ł, Raši T, Majláthová V. Electromagnetic radiation and behavioural response of ticks: an experimental test. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 75:85-95. [PMID: 29605834 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0253-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Factors associated with the increased usage of electronic devices, wireless technologies and mobile phones nowadays are present in increasing amounts in our environment. All living organisms are constantly affected by electromagnetic radiation which causes serious environmental pollution. The distribution and density of ticks in natural habitats is influenced by a complex of abiotic and biotic factors. Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) constitutes a potential cause altering the presence and distribution of ticks in the environment. Our main objective was to determine the affinity of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks towards RF-EMF exposure. Originally designed and constructed radiation-shielded tube (RST) test was used to test the affinity of ticks under controlled laboratory conditions. All test were performed in an electromagnetic compatibility laboratory in an anechoic chamber. Ticks were irradiated using a Double-Ridged Waveguide Horn Antenna to RF-EMF at 900 and 5000 MHz, 0 MHz was used as control. The RF-EMF exposure to 900 MHz induced a higher concentration of ticks on irradiated arm of RST as opposed to the RF-EMF at 5000 MHz, which caused an escape of ticks to the shielded arm. This study represents the first experimental evidence of RF-EMF preference in D. reticulatus. The projection of obtained results to the natural environment could help assess the risk of tick borne diseases and could be a tool of preventive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blažena Vargová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Juraj Kurimský
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Roman Cimbala
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal Kosterec
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznan, Poland
| | - Łukasz Jankowiak
- Department of Vertebrate Anatomy and Zoology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-412, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tomáš Raši
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80, Kosice, Slovak Republic.
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Lambinet V, Hayden ME, Reid C, Gries G. Honey bees possess a polarity-sensitive magnetoreceptor. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2017; 203:1029-1036. [PMID: 28916947 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-017-1214-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Honey bees, Apis mellifera, exploit the geomagnetic field for orientation during foraging and for alignment of their combs within hives. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees sense the polarity of magnetic fields. We created an engineered magnetic anomaly in which the magnetic field generally either converged toward a sugar reward in a watch glass, or away from it. After bees in behavioral field studies had learned to associate this anomaly with a sugar water reward, we subjected them to two experiments performed in random order. In both experiments, we presented bees with two identical sugar water rewards, one of which was randomly marked by a magnetic field anomaly. During the control experiment, the polarity of the magnetic field anomaly was maintained the same as it was during the training session. During the treatment experiment, it was reversed. We predicted that bees would not respond to the altered anomaly if they were sensitive to the polarity of the magnetic field. Our findings that bees continued to respond to the magnetic anomaly when its polarity was in its unaltered state, but did not respond to it when its polarity was reversed, support the hypothesis that honey bees possess a polarity-sensitive magnetoreceptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Lambinet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Michael E Hayden
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| | - Chloe Reid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Gerhard Gries
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
- Department of Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
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Hofman J, Maher BA, Muxworthy AR, Wuyts K, Castanheiro A, Samson R. Biomagnetic Monitoring of Atmospheric Pollution: A Review of Magnetic Signatures from Biological Sensors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:6648-6664. [PMID: 28541679 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Biomagnetic monitoring of atmospheric pollution is a growing application in the field of environmental magnetism. Particulate matter (PM) in atmospheric pollution contains readily measurable concentrations of magnetic minerals. Biological surfaces, exposed to atmospheric pollution, accumulate magnetic particles over time, providing a record of location-specific, time-integrated air quality information. This review summarizes current knowledge of biological material ("sensors") used for biomagnetic monitoring purposes. Our work addresses the following: the range of magnetic properties reported for lichens, mosses, leaves, bark, trunk wood, insects, crustaceans, mammal and human tissues; their associations with atmospheric pollutant species (PM, NOx, trace elements, PAHs); the pros and cons of biomagnetic monitoring of atmospheric pollution; current challenges for large-scale implementation of biomagnetic monitoring; and future perspectives. A summary table is presented, with the aim of aiding researchers and policy makers in selecting the most suitable biological sensor for their intended biomagnetic monitoring purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle Hofman
- Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Barbara A Maher
- Centre for Environmental Magnetism & Paleomagnetism, Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster , Lancaster LA1 4YW, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian R Muxworthy
- Natural Magnetism Group, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Wuyts
- Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ana Castanheiro
- Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roeland Samson
- Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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Wajnberg E, Rossi AL, Esquivel DMS. Titanium and iron titanium oxide nanoparticles in antennae of the migratory ant Pachycondyla marginata: an alternative magnetic sensor for magnetoreception? Biometals 2017; 30:541-548. [PMID: 28608290 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-017-0024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The most accepted hypothesis of magnetoreception for social insects is the ferromagnetic hypothesis which assumes the presence of magnetic material as a sensor coupled to sensitive structures that transmit the geomagnetic field information to the nervous system. As magnetite is the most common magnetic material observed in living beings, it has been suggested as basic constituent of the magnetoreception system. Antennae and head have been pointed as possible magnetosensor organs in social insects as ants, bees and termites. Samples of three antenna joints: head-scape, scape-pedicel and pedicel-third segment joints were embedded in epoxi resin, ultrathin sectioned and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Selected area electron diffraction patterns and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy were obtained to identify the nanoparticle compound. Besides iron oxides, for the first time, nanoparticles containing titanium have been identified surrounded by tissue in the antennae of ants. Given their dimension and related magnetic characteristics, these nanoparticles are discussed as being part of the magnetosensor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Wajnberg
- Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, R Xavier Sigaud 150, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-180, Brazil.
| | - André Linhares Rossi
- Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, R Xavier Sigaud 150, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-180, Brazil
| | - Darci Motta S Esquivel
- Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, R Xavier Sigaud 150, Rio de Janeiro, 22290-180, Brazil
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Does the Earth's magnetic field serve as a reference for alignment of the honeybee Waggle dance? PLoS One 2014; 9:e115665. [PMID: 25541731 PMCID: PMC4277305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 11/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The honeybee (Apis mellifera) waggle dance, which is performed inside the hive by forager bees, informs hive mates about a potent food source, and recruits them to its location. It consists of a repeated figure-8 pattern: two oppositely directed turns interspersed by a short straight segment, the "waggle run". The waggle run consists of a single stride emphasized by lateral waggling motions of the abdomen. Directional information pointing to a food source relative to the sun's azimuth is encoded in the angle between the waggle run line and a reference line, which is generally thought to be established by gravity. Yet, there is tantalizing evidence that the local (ambient) geomagnetic field (LGMF) could play a role. We tested the effect of the LGMF on the recruitment success of forager bees by placing observation hives inside large Helmholtz coils, and then either reducing the LGMF to 2% or shifting its apparent declination. Neither of these treatments reduced the number of nest mates that waggle dancing forager bees recruited to a feeding station located 200 m north of the hive. These results indicate that the LGMF does not act as the reference for the alignment of waggle-dancing bees.
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Jandacka P, Kasparova B, Jiraskova Y, Dedkova K, Mamulova-Kutlakova K, Kukutschova J. Iron-based granules in body of bumblebees. Biometals 2014; 28:89-99. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-014-9805-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Najera DA, McCullough EL, Jander R. Honeybees Use Celestial and/or Terrestrial Compass Cues for Inter-Patch Navigation. Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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