Diatom motility: the search for independent replication of biological effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields

Abstract

Purpose : To investigate the hypothesis that exposure to a certain combination of static and time-varying electromagnetic fields (EMF) results in an increase in motility of the marine diatom Amphora coffeaeformis. Materials and methods : Diatom motility on agar was positively correlated with calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. In previous experiments extremely low frequency EMF (16Hz) had the greatest effect on diatoms at suboptimal for movement Ca2+ concentrations. To ensure that the required suboptimal Ca2+ concentration and resultant cell motility were found, a number of low concentrations of Ca2+ were experimentally tested. The EMF exposure conditions were those at the calculated calcium resonances (Bv=0muT; BH=20.9muT; BAC=41.8 muT peak-peak 16Hz) previously found to cause enhanced motility. Diatom movement on agar plates under EMF and control exposures was recorded. Results : There was no significant difference in cell motility between control and EMF-exposed diatoms at each Ca2 concentration tested. Conclusions: The study indicates that low-frequency EMF set at resonance conditions did not cause an increase in motility of the diatoms.