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Electromagnetic Fields

One of the stressor topics the Triton Field Trials (TFiT) studies is electromagnetic fields.  

Electromagnetic fields, often referred to as EMF, exist in throughout the world’s oceans naturally; many animals in marine systems use these fields to find prey, navigate, or migrate. As cables are installed throughout the world’s oceans for electricity or telecommunications, these electro-sensitive animals may be impacted by the disruption of natural magnetic fields by anthropogenic fields. For marine energy devices, there are EMFs generated by both cables transmitting electricity back to shore as well as the device itself. The Triton Field Trials for EMF is designed to determine which methods would most effectively measure EMF generated by marine energy devices. 

crabcableimage
A crab resting near an underwater cable. (Photo by the Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory Dive Team)

Researchers are working hard to understand the field strength and spatial patterns associated with marine energy to determine how EMF might be impacting the marine environment. Currently, the intensity and variability of the magnetic fields generated by cables and devices are still largely unknown. The EMFs generated from electricity transmission underwater are typically of a similar magnitude to the background magnetic field of the Earth, so it is challenging to accurately measure the fields and quantify the effects on organisms. 

During preliminary field trials, the Triton EMF team deployed a source cable in Sequim Bay to evaluate two different measurement devices: a purpose-built marine sensor for measuring magnetic fields and a low-cost, commercial sensor with a magnetometer. A variety of tidal current rates were examined to understand the tides’ impact on the strength of the EMF signal and the ability to measure the magnetic field. Additionally, a point source generator was deployed to mimic the electromagnetic fields generated by a device, such as a tidal turbine. In 2021, additional field trials will be conducted at multiple field locations, including a wave energy test site.  

News & Publications

JULY 13, 2022
Research Highlight

Triton Field Trials Special Issue Makes a Splash for Marine Energy

Read
Triton researcher prepares an underwater camera for deployment during the Triton Field Trials.
NOVEMBER 3, 2020
Research Highlight

How to Measure the Invisible: Quantifying Electromagnetic Fields with Molly Grear

Read
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Contacts

Alicia Amerson
Project Manager and Marine Biologist
Alicia.Amerson@pnnl.gov
(360) 681-4571
Joe Haxel
Principal Investigator for the Triton Initiative and Earth Scientist
joseph.haxel@pnnl.gov
(360) 582-2526
Molly Grear
Ocean Engineer
molly.grear@pnnl.gov
(206) 528-3320

Research topics

Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy
Marine Energy

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