Electromagnetic Viability Control of Aquatics by the Combination of Weak Electric Currents and 10 T Magnetic Fields

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore a novel method of electromagnetic control of cellular activity of aquatic organisms by utilizing a strong magnetic field and weak current stimulation. Three kinds of aquatic organisms, Chlamydomonas pumilio, Daphnia pulex, and Hydra, were exposed to 10 T magnetic fields, and the effects of applying weak electric currents at several milli-amperes on the transmission of polarized light on aquatic organisms at 550 nm was measured. Under ambient fields, the transmission of polarized light was not changed by the electric currents. However, in the presence of a 10 T magnetic field, a strong change in the transmission was observed during and after the electrical stimulation. It was speculated that the cellular components, having both mechanical flexibility and a higher charge density, were affected by the Lorentz force that was generated by the weak electric current and the strong magnetic field. The results indicated that the combination of a 10 T magnetic field and weak stimulation at a mA current level was effective for the measurement and control of the viability of aquatic organisms.