Extremely low frequency magnetic field distracts zebrafish from a visual cognitive task

Authors: Ziegenbalg L, Güntürkün O, Winklhofer M

Year: 2025 Mar 12

Category: Neurobiology

Journal: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-90194-x

URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-90194-x

Abstract

Overview

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from overhead power lines and subsea cables are widely regarded as a disruptive factor for animals using the Earth's natural magnetic field as an orientation cue for guiding their movements.

However, little is known about whether anthropogenic EMFs also have the potential to disturb animals' attention to information from other sensory modalities.

Methodology

  • Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) were individually trained to perform avoidance behavior in response to a visual signal (a green LED light spot).
  • For the exposure group, the visual signal was presented simultaneously with a sinusoidally changing magnetic field (0.3 Hz, group A: 0.015 mT, group B: 0.06 mT).

Findings

  • The visual signal was both sufficient and necessary to elicit conditioned avoidance responses.
  • Exposure to a 0.06 mT magnetic field condition negatively impacted learning performance and response behavior in the zebrafish.

Conclusion

These results suggest that extremely low frequency technical magnetic fields of Earth-strength amplitude can serve as cross-modal distractors. They divert the attention of animals away from environmentally relevant cues based on nonmagnetic sensory modalities. This research emphasizes the need to study anthropogenic magnetic fields as sensory pollutants beyond their established effects on magnetic orientation behavior.

electromagnetic fields zebrafish cognitive distraction low frequency magnetic field animal behavior sensory pollution learning impairment
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