Ecological light pollution - An overview of impacts on the Wadden Sea

Haarman, Wouter (2022) Ecological light pollution - An overview of impacts on the Wadden Sea. Bachelor's Thesis, Astronomy.

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Abstract

This report analyses the current state of light at night and the potential harmful ecological effects of which for the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Artificial light at night (ALAN) is shown to have increased in recent years for most parts of the Wadden Sea area. Five different types of ALAN sources are analysed and compared to the moon in regards to coastal water penetration. Potential consequences of ALAN are reviewed for migratory birds, sessile invertebrates (blue mussel & pacific oyster) and primary producers & invertebrate secondary producers. ALAN is shown to be able to be a serious stressor for marine and avian population levels and potentially the functioning of the Wadden Sea’s ecosystem. ALAN alters biological rhythms, influencing marine and avian species on a sensory and physiological level and disrupts natural rhythms by creating eternal full moon scenarios. The current extent of ecological effects of ALAN is however, difficult to determine. As artificial sky brightness maps are subjected to assumptions and no models for (artificial) light propagating below salt-water surface are well developed. In the model reviewed in this report, it was concluded that the blue range of LED light sources is still present at 30m of coastal water depth in comparison to moonlight, where all is scattered away. Green wavelengths are also present in higher intensities at 30m depth compared to moonlight for certain ALAN sources.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Noel-Storr, J.
Degree programme:	Astronomy
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Aug 2022 09:37
Last Modified:	15 Aug 2022 09:37
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/28378

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