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Geomagnetic Field Effects on Living Systems

 

 

 

and 600 μT along with variations in the membrane potentials, mitochondrial calcium, reactive oxygen

species (ROS), superoxide (O⁻

2 ^{), nitric oxide (NO), H}2^O2^{, intercellular pH, and oxidative stress (Gurhan}

et al., 2021). Tus, they suggested that weak SMFs can accelerate and inhibit cell growth rates and induce

alterations in ROS, which indicates that changes in ROS and oxidative stress are important for various

cell functions (Gurhan et al., 2021). Tey speculated that [Ca²⁺]i into mitochondria was one of the initial

steps into the corresponding changes (Gurhan et al., 2021).

HMF efects have also been observed to infuence animal behavior (Choleris et al., 2002; Prato et al.,

2005). Te behavioral efects were observed only when the ambient felds were shielded by μ-metal

and not by canceling the felds with tri-axial coils. Tis is because the μ-metal shielding attenuates the

ambient SMF and ELF-MFs, while the tri-axial coils cancel only the static component (Martino et al.,

2010).

Binhi and Prato (2017) critically reviewed the biological efects of the HMF by referring to 137 pub­

lications, which refect an unbiased reporting of results in this area. Afer analyzing experiments and

theories, they concluded that despite the apparent non-specifc biological efects of HMF, no regular

relationship was found between the magnitude of this efect and the physical conditions of the experi­

ment (Binhi and Prato, 2017). Tese analytical results suggest that there are no common biophysical

MF “targets” that are identical in diferent organisms (Binhi and Prato, 2017). Common MF targets are

estimated to exist only at major physical levels, in the form of “magnetic moments” of unknown nature

(Binhi and Prato, 2017).

More recently, Zhang et al. (2021) summarized the literature related to the biological efects of HMF

and calculated the magnitude of the efect. Tey concluded that HMF impairs multiple animal systems,

especially in the central nervous system, and furthermore, HMF is a stress factor in plant growth and

reproduction.

As mentioned above (Zaporozhan and Ponomarenko, 2010; Zamoshchina et al., 2012; Xue et al., 2021),

CRY has been shown to participate in a molecular complex feedback loop to generate the circadian

oscillation in response to MFs. In this context, multiple experimental studies have focused on the efects

of HMF on circadian rhythms and found that HMF disrupts circadian rhythms and contributes sig­

nifcantly to health problems such as sleep disorders, metabolic changes, and neurological disorders

(Xue et al., 2021). Recently, Xue et al. (2021) reviewed and emphasized that ground-based studies on

interplanetary-like HMF have revealed changes in structure and function of the central nervous system,

embryonic development, hormone release synchronization, and circadian rhythm in animals and cells.

Inconsistency and seemingly contradictory observations are shown in the literature that may arise from

diferences in parameters of MF and characteristics of the study subject (Xue et al., 2021). Xue et al.

(2021) proposed the need for additional research on a higher number of subjects to better understand

health issues during travel beyond the Earth’s orbit and into deep space.

6.4.2 Magnetic Storm and Its Related Diseases

Literally, the disturbance of the GMF is called a “geomagnetic storm.” A geomagnetic storm is called

a “magnetic storm” on the Earth’s ionosphere (ESA, 2016b), and is also referred to as a “solar storm.”

Actually, it needs a large size for forming the magnetic storm. Can we know the generation of the mag­

netic storms by observing the aurora? Te aurora borealis is the light generated when the electrons

responsible for this transmitted electric current collide with atoms and molecules in the atmosphere

(Aurora photo from National Geographic Science News, 2019). When the solar wind interacts with the

GMF, it shows a wonderful show of light. Te bright light reminds us of the importance of the GMF,

which protects life on Earth from solar radiation. As above-mentioned, the coupling currents or feld-

aligned currents fow along MF lines between the magnetosphere and ionosphere. Te auroral oval

is one of the manifestations of the coupling currents (e.g., Nagata, and Kokubun, 1962). Since the MF

generated by this aurora current is applied to the GMF that normally exists, the GMF changes to some

extent depending on the intensity of the aurora.