Work

Effect of particles from wind turbine blades erosion on blue mussels Mytilus edulis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Offshore wind farms (OWFs) pose new anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment as the erosion of turbine blades release organic and inorganic substances with potential consequences for marine life. In the present study, possible effects of the released particles and chemicals on the metabolic profile of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, were investigated, utilizing 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Mussels were exposed for 7 and 14 days to different concentrations (10 and 40 mg/L) of microplastic (MP) particles which were derived from cryo-milled blade coatings and core materials (glass fiber polymer, GFP). As a control, natural clay particles were used. Raman imaging techniques were used to determine the amount and size distribution of the MP, revealing that 30-40 % of the coating and GFP particles had MP sizes below 5 µm, with the majority (~98 %) being ≤ 50 µm. Despite the identified enrichment factors for metals and metalloids from the eroded rotor blade materials, untargeted metabolic profiling of the entire soft body tissues of M. edulis showed no significant metabolic disruption, regardless of the particle concentration. Experimental worst-case scenario of massive abrasion and the minimal response observed in M. edulis under the conditions tested suggest that erosion caused by wind turbine blades may pose little to no risk to bivalves. However, it is important to note that this study is only a preliminary step and does not provide a complete understanding of the issue. Further studies are needed to obtain a comprehensive overview of the issue before reaching a definite firm conclusion regarding the potential threat of OWFs abrasion to the marine environment, particularly considering the planned future extension of windpark construction in connection with the ongoing EU-wide energy transition.

Source: The Science of The Total Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177509