1 | Program Name or Ancillary Text eere.energy.gov
Water Power Peer Review
2.1.3: Effects on Aquatic Organisms Dr. Andrea Copping
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory[[email protected]; (206) 528-3049November, 2011
2.0 Market Accelleration
Assessing the Effects of MHK Device Operation on
Aquatic Organisms
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)Acoustics/Noise
Physical Interactions
2 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov
Purpose, Objectives, & Integration
There is limited information on the potential effects of EMF, acoustics/noise, or physical interaction on important marine, estuarine, and fresh water species. This knowledge gap creates significant regulatory uncertainty that could affect the permitting and operation of MHK devices.
By assessing the potential effects of EMF, acoustic noise, and physical interaction of animals with MHK devices the regulatory costs, time, and potential environmental impacts of MHK development can be streamlined.
This task will accelerate the development of the MHK industry and support DOE’s Water Power Program goals to: 1) identify the most significant areas of environmental concern, and initiate research to address potential impacts; and 2) determine how environmental monitoring and mitigation, siting and permitting contribute to the cost of energy, and seek to reduce these costs.
Results from this project will be entered into the Tethys database and incorporated into ERES risk assessments to provide a more complete picture of potential MHK effects.
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Technical Approach
• The technical focus is on sublethal effects of EMF and acoustics (e.g., organism development, behavior, and physiological stress), and on the likelihood of adverse interactions with MHK devices, on aquatic species that are ecologically, commercially, or recreationally important.
• Standardized methods and endpoints have been adopted or where necessary adapted, whenever possible for testing of EMF, acoustics or physical interaction.
• Upper bounding limits of EMF and acoustics have evaluated (e.g. exposures much higher than expected to occur during MHK device operation) to ensure protection of the environment.
• Assessment of exposure/response relationships were examined in a risk context to determine the potential for population-level effects.
• PNNL uses innovative exposure systems for EMF and sound (Helmholtz coil for EMF, tidal turbine sound exposure system for acoustics) at PNNL Marine Sciences Laboratory.
• ORNL explored a variety of behavioral responses appropriate to different aquatic organisms.
• PNNL and ORNL are collaborating on acoustic measurement equipment and techniques.
• PNNL examined potential effects of physical interaction between marine animals and MHK devices through a detailed literature review and case study approach.
• ORNL carried out flume studies to examine interactions between freshwater fish and turbine blades.
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Plan, Schedule, & BudgetPNNL EMF Testing
Schedule• Work was initiated on 1 October 2010; planned completion date is 30 September 2012.• Milestones for FY10 and FY11:
– FY10, Q2: EMF testing protocol development completed– FY10, Q3: Helmholtz coil delivered, installed, and calibrated– FY10, Q4: Initial round of testing completed for salmon and halibut– FY11, Q2: Second round of testing completed for salmon, halibut, and trout– FY11, Q3: Dungeness crab food detection experiments completed– FY11, Q4: Dungeness crab avoidance/attraction experiments completed
• Emphasis in FY12 will be to carry out lobster avoidance/attraction testing and conduct EMF testing on elasmobranchs. Test organism availability will drive the precise choice of organisms, schedules and go, no-go decisions.
Budget• No budget variances occurred in FY10 and FY11 and none expected in FY12.• FY10 and FY11 combined budgets 95% expended; no expected carryover into FY12.
Budget HistoryFY2009 FY2010 FY2011
DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share
$230K $0 $60K $0 $190K $0
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Plan, Schedule, & Budget:ORNL EMF Testing
Schedule• Work was initiated on 1 October 2010; planned completion date is 30 September 2012• Milestones for FY10 and FY11:
– FY10, Q2: Questionnaire related to EMF measurements distributed to industry– FY10, Q3: Protocol development completed – FY10, Q4: Initial testing of DC fields completed for minnows, clams, and snails– FY11, Q2: Experiments for response to AC fields commenced– FY11, Q3: Tests of AC fields on paddlefish and lake sturgeon completed– FY11, Q4: Tests of DC fields on channel catfish and striped bass completed
• Emphasis in FY12 will be to carry out additional tests of AC and DC fields using more freshwater species, measure EMF at an HK project, and develop experimental techniques for testing biological responses to multiple cables/generating units
Budget • No budget variances occurred in FY10 and FY11 and none expected in FY12.• FY10 and FY11 combined budgets 95% expended; no expected carryover into FY12.
Budget History
FY2009 FY2010 FY2011
DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share
150k 30k 120k
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Plan, Schedule, & Budget:PNNL Acoustics Testing
Schedule• Work was initiated on 1 October 2011; planned completion date is 30 September 2012• Milestones for FY10 and FY11 (limited activities in FY10)
– FY10, Q4: Transfer of acoustics testing equipment to PNNL Marine Sciences Laboratory
– FY11, Q2: Acoustic test system installation and staff training– FY11, Q3: Acoustics fish testing complete for juvenile salmon– FY11, Q4: Data analysis and reporting complete
• Emphasis in FY12 will be to conduct acoustics testing on a second marine fish species, possibly an elasmobranch (shark, skate, or ray species). Test organism availability will drive schedule and go, no-go decisions.
Budget• Initial funding for acoustics delayed until FY11 due to equipment availability & logistical
issues• No budget variances occurred in FY11 and none expected in FY12• FY11 budget 95% expended; minimal carryover into FY12
Budget History
FY2009 FY2010 FY2011
DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share
$12k 0 $40k 0 $80k 0
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Plan, Schedule, & Budget:PNNL Physical Effects Review
Schedule• Work was initiated on 1 October 2010; completed on 30 September 2012.• Milestones for FY10 and FY11:
– FY10, Q3: Literature search complete (habitat change, noise, chemicals)– FY10, Q4: Literature review and final report complete– FY11, Q3: Literature search complete (marine mammals, birds, fish)– FY11, Q4: Literature review and final report complete
• Emphasis in FY12 will be to support Tethys literature integration; no additional literature searches or reviews are planned.
Budget• No budget variances occurred in FY10 and FY11; no budget for FY12.• FY10 and FY11 combined budgets 99% expended; no carryover.
Budget History
FY2009 FY2010 FY2011
DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share
$25k 0 $0k 0 $25k 0
8 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov
Plan, Schedule, & Budget:ORNL Physical Effects Studies
Schedule• Work was initiated on 1 October 2009; completed on 30 September 2012.• Milestones for FY10 and FY11:
– FY10, Q4: Literature reviews completed on MHK blade strike and potential for attraction/avoidance of project structures
– FY11, Q2: Strike study test protocols and equipment developed– FY11, Q3: Laboratory tests of strike carried out with 3 blade shapes and 4
freshwater fish species– FY11, Q4: Report on effects of blade strike on juvenile fish prepared
• Emphasis in FY12 will be to publish result of lab strike tests and carry out additional blade strike tests at ORNL or other lab.
Budget• No budget variances occurred in FY10 and FY11; no budget for FY12.• FY10 and FY11 combined budgets 99% expended; no carryover.
Budget History
FY2009 FY2010 FY2011
DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share
$150k 0 $30k 0 $120k 0
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Accomplishments and Results:PNNL EMF Experiments
Species Tested Testing Endpoint Result
Juvenile Coho salmonDecreased swimming as alarm- response behavior
Inconclusive @ 3mT
Juvenile Coho salmonMelatonin/cortisol production as indication of stress
Decreased melatonin levels at 3 and 0.13mT but NSS
Rainbow trout eggs Survival and developmentSS delayed development @ 3mT for one exposure group; other exposure group NSS
Atlantic halibut embryos
Growth and developmentDecreased growth and development @ 3mT but NSS
California halibut embryos
Growth and developmentNo difference between test and control exposures
Adult Dungeness crabEMF detection as change in antennular flicking rate
No difference between test and control exposures
Adult Dungeness crabInterference in food detection ability
Decreased flicking rate @ 3mT but NSS
Adult Dungeness crab Avoidance or attraction to EMFNo difference between test and control exposures
NSS: Not statistically significant at p = 0.05. SS: Statistically significant at p = 0.05
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Accomplishments and Results:PNNL EMF ExperimentsOUTCOMES•Endpoints for certain species indicated a response to EMF exposure, notably:
– Delayed development in rainbow trout eggs– Eye migration in Atlantic halibut – Behavior change in Dungeness crab seeking food– Increased stress hormones in juvenile coho salmon
•However none of these results were statistically significant, indicating that no adverse outcomes due to EMF exposure should affect permitting or operation of MHK devices at pilot- or full-scale operational scenarios.
Experimental results of Atlantic halibut development after exposure to EMF Video capture of Dungeness crab feeding response to EMF exposure
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Accomplishments and ResultsORNL EMF Experiments
Species Tested Testing Endpoint Result
Fathead minnowsActivity levels and attraction/avoidance of DC fields
No attraction or avoidance of fields, but increased activity caused by EMF
Freshwater snails Attraction/avoidance of DC fieldsNo attraction or avoidance of fields
Asiatic clam Attraction/avoidance of DC fieldsNo attraction or avoidance of fields
Channel catfishActivity levels and attraction/avoidance of DC fields
No significant change in activity or location
Striped bassActivity levels and attraction/avoidance of DC fields
No significant change in activity or location
PaddlefishSwimming behavior response to AC fields
No significant responses
Lake sturgeonSwimming behavior response to AC fields
Variety of behavioral reactions to even low EMF strengths
12 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov
Accomplishments and ResultsPNNL Acoustic Experiments
Species Tested Testing Endpoint Result
Juvenile Chinook salmon Tissue damageSS low levels of tissue damage observed @ 155-163dB.Low physiological cost to fish.
Juvenile Chinook salmon Hearing lossNSS difference between test and control exposures @ 155-163dB
NSS: Not statistically significant at p = 0.05. SS: Statistically significant at p = 0.05
13 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov
Accomplishments and ResultsPNNL Acoustic Experiments
OUTCOMEEffects of acoustic exposure of test organism in close proximity to turbine noise
indicates that no hearing shift and only minor tissue will result, indicating that no
adverse outcomes due to acoustic exposure should affect permitting or
operation of MHK devices at pilot- or full-scale operational scenarios.
Respiration reservoir
AEP tank
Hydrophone holder
Fish holder
BioAmps
Respiration tube
Electrode wires
Recorded sound spectra for 6m OpenHydro tidal turbine
Experimental setup for Auditory Evoked Potential (AEP)
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Accomplishments and ResultsPNNL Physical Interactions
FY10 Accomplishments
•Completed literature review focusing on 2009-2010 information (post EISA)• Habitat change related to device deployment• Device noise• Chemical leaching from coatings
• Information to be incorporated into Tethys
FY11 Accomplishments
•Completed literature review of recent information (2009-2011)• Effects on marine mammals, fish, birds• Case study to assess effects of wave park presence on marine mammals
suggests minimal effects to gray whale migration or feeding behavior•Information to be incorporated into Tethys
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Accomplishments and ResultsORNL Physical Effects Studies
FY10 Accomplishments
•Completed literature reviews • Potential for attraction and avoidance of instream structures• Modeling of strike potential from single and multiple units
• Information to be incorporated into Tethys
FY11 Accomplishments
•Developed blade strike experimental protocol and laboratory equipment•Carried out blade strike tests with freshwater fish early life stages
• 3 blade shapes• 3 water velocities (0.5, 0.85, and 1.15 m/s)• 4 fish species (minnows, striped bass, crappie, walleye)
•Information to be incorporated into Tethys
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Challenges to DatePNNL EMF and Acoustics
Area of Study
Challenge Response
EMF
Ability to produce uniform EMF fields at varying strengths in an exposure system that can be configured to support testing of variety of fish and invertebrate species
• Purchase and installation of a custom Helmholtz coil system capable of 0.1 to 3mT in an 8 cf space
• Creation of versatile exposure systems complete with video capture to document behavioral responses during tests
AcousticsAbility to generate sound signatures similar to tidal turbine in a test system appropriate for salmonid effects testing
• In collaboration with UW-NNMREC, creation of relevant sound source term for tidal turbine scenario.
• Development of a custom test system to produce, measure, and record sound during effects testing
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Challenges to DateORNL EMF and Acoustics
Area of Study
Challenge Response
EMF
Better characterization of EMF fields from multiple MHK generators (AC) and cables (AC and DC) and the consequent behavioral responses of variety of fish and invertebrate species
• Utilize information from EMF modeling and field measurements at prototype installations to better quantify the fields to which aquatic organisms will be exposed
• Investigate different behavioral responses among a wider range of freshwater organisms
Physical Interactions
Recreate realistic test conditions for MHK blade strike (water velocities, light levels, temperature) to study strike potential for a variety of fish species, fish life stages, and real world conditions
• In ORNL flume, expand testing to include wider series of fish early life stages, higher water velocities, and video analyses of fish/blade interactions
• Collaborate with another lab that has ability to test larger fish at higher velocities (e.g., Alden Research Lab)
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Next Steps (FY12)PNNL EMF and Acoustics
EMF focus on American lobster and elasmobranch species (sharks, skates, rays).– Lobster testing in Q1-Q2 – Elasmobranch testing in Q3 and Q4
Acoustics exposure will include an additional species that has demonstrated sensitivity to sound and environmental relevance (e.g. elasmobranch, rockfish).– Testing schedule TBD on organism availability.
Inclusion of additional species will further reduce uncertainty related to environmental effects and address agency concerns on both coasts.
Development of a multi-stressor experiment (EMF + sound) would provide additional information to support long-term monitoring, but is currently unfunded.
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Next Steps (FY12)ORNL EMF
Develop a detailed experimental plan that describes the next round of lab experiments with different types and strengths of magnetic fields, additional species, and new exposure designs
ORNL will design a study to characterize the static and varying fields at an operating MHK field site and the response of fish to EMF at that site
EMF field measurement procedures will be tested, and used to develop a draft EMF field monitoring protocol that will be useful to the MHK industry and regulators
Analyze EMF experiments (field site and/or laboratory) and submit final draft report to DOE
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