Impact of EMF and Underwater Sound on Harbour Porpoises
Export cables are used to connect offshore wind farms to onshore substations, from where the electricity is fed into the national power grid. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are generated around buried export cables as a result of the electrical current flowing through them. These EMF may potentially affect marine life. The magnitude of these fields and their potential impact are still largely unknown. We therefore work with several partners on different measurement and research projects to better understand and assess these effects. Research into the potential relationship between EMF and harbour porpoise presence within the Borssele offshore wind farm is one example.
- Opdrachtgever: Witteveen + Bos
- Locatie: Borssele offshore windpark
Offshore wind farms play a key role in the energy transition, but the electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by export cables on the seabed may potentially affect marine life.
It has not yet been specifically established that harbour porpoises are magnetoreceptive animals, although there are indications that other cetaceans may use the Earth’s magnetic field for migration. The aim of this project is to take an initial step towards identifying EMF strengths and harbour porpoise presence within the wind farm and investigating a potential relationship between the two. For this purpose, we use the Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) network installed by WaterProof, which records and analyses both ambient underwater sound and harbour porpoise vocalisations. At the same time, we measured electromagnetic fields for one year above one of the Borssele export cables using an autonomously operated EMF measurement system developed by WaterProof.
By combining these long-term measurement networks, we are able to integrate the datasets and build a detailed picture of both the physical and acoustic environment of the wind farm.
The insights gained into potential ecological stressors affecting harbour porpoises, including the possible effects of electromagnetic fields, will be incorporated into follow-up research and collaborations aimed at minimising ecological disturbance associated with the continued development of offshore wind energy.
Take a look at our other projects
Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Harbour Porpoises
The installed export cables that connect offshore wind farms to the mainland generate electromagnetic fields (EMF) due to the amount of electricity flowing through the cables. These EMF may potentially affect marine life in the immediate vicinity of the cables. To determine and better understand the potential effects of EMF on the acoustic activity of harbour porpoises, we work together with Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and Witteveen+Bos on various measurement campaigns and analysis studies.
LIFE MareNatura
The LIFE MareNatura project is the largest marine biodiversity project ever undertaken in Greece. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the project focuses on the conservation of nine endangered species of marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds. By mapping biodiversity hotspots in the Ionian, South Adriatic and Aegean Seas, the project aims to extend the Natura 2000 network and strengthen marine nature management in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030.
Sediment transport pathways along the south-east coast of Florida
The US state of Florida has over 2,000 km of coastline, featuring a mix of beautiful beaches and coral reefs. The south-east coast borders a wide strait, the Florida Strait, through which a strong current of warm water flows northwards. Further north, this Florida Current feeds into the Gulf Stream, which ultimately brings us the temperate climate of western Europe. Along the south-east coast, the coastline is indented by several sea inlets and access channels leading to harbours.
