Evaluating the Effects of an EMF Device Intended to Mitigate Hypoxia on the Biology of Wild Fish

在过去的五年里，渥太华（ON）的EM Fluids公司取得了一项极具破坏性的发现，即水的物理化学性质会对电磁设备产生的高度特异性信号做出反应。 在小于0.1瓦的功率输入下，这些信号可以影响距离换能器远达150米的水的物理化学性质（即，“EMF设备”）。 值得注意的是，该装置增加了界面气体转移速率，使得可以快速增加表面沃茨中的溶解氧浓度。 虽然在设备外部没有可检测到的电磁发射，但关于设备是否影响鱼类等水生生物仍存在不确定性。 这种不确定性妨碍了考虑在外地更广泛开展工作的能力。 这种伙伴关系汇集了应用鱼类生态学家（库克博士）和湖沼学家（Vermaire博士）与EM流体的工程师在一个合作框架，以评估EMF设备对鱼类的影响。 将进行实地和实验室研究，以确定该装置是否对鱼类的行为、生理、状况和生存有任何负面影响。 迫切需要开发缓解缺氧等问题的解决方案，因此解决这一问题有可能恢复退化的水生生态系统。 通过学术研究团队和行业合作伙伴之间的直接互动，知识将被转移，以告知该设备未来的设计改进和应用。

Over the past five years, EM Fluids of Ottawa (ON) has made a highly disruptive discovery that the physicochemical properties of water respond to highly specific signals generated by electromagnetic devices. With a power input of less than 0.1 watt, these signal can affect the physicochemical properties of water as far as 150 metres from the transducer (i.e., the "EMF device"). Notably, the device increases the interfacial gas transfer rate such that it is possible to rapidly increase dissolved oxygen concentrations in surface waters. Although there is no electromagnetic emission detectable outside the device, there remain uncertainties regarding if the device impacts aquatic life such as fish. This uncertainty impedes the ability to consider broader roll-outs in the field. This partnership brings together an applied fish ecologist (Dr. Cooke) and a limnologist (Dr. Vermaire) with engineers from EM Fluids in a collaborative framework to evaluate the effects of the EMF device on fish. Field and lab studies will be conducted to determine if the device has any negative effects on fish behaviour, physiology, condition and survival. There is a dire need to develop solutions that mitigate issues such as hypoxia so resolving this issue has the potential to enable the restoration of degraded aquatic ecosystems. Through direct interaction between the academic research team and industry partner, knowledge will be transferred to inform future design refinements and application of this device.