Piling, Silt and Fish Schools…How Can Offshore Wind Power Coexist Harmoniously with the Marine Ecosystem? |CBCGDF Ocean&Wetlands Working Group

As a clean energy source, offshore wind power plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it may also have an impact on the marine ecological environment during construction and operation. These impacts include noise generated during piling, mud and sand stirred during construction, electromagnetic fields generated by cables, and impacts on migratory birds. To mitigate these impacts, environmental monitoring and management of offshore wind power projects are needed.

 

Noise has potential impacts on marine life such as fish, dolphins and whales, as they rely on sound waves for navigation and communication. Sediment disturbance affects the growth of marine plants, while suspended sediment may be carried to other places by ocean currents, affecting the wider ecological environment. The electromagnetic fields of cables may interfere with fish and shellfish, and the mechanical noise of windmills also needs attention. In addition, offshore wind farms may affect the flight paths of migratory birds.

 

In order to achieve harmonious coexistence of offshore wind power and marine ecology, these projects need to be managed scientifically, and specific impacts need to be understood through monitoring, and corresponding measures need to be taken. For example, through monitoring data, the scope and intensity of noise can be analyzed, construction time can be adjusted, or noise reduction equipment can be used. For sediment problems, monitoring can reveal the impact of construction on marine plants, so that more environmentally friendly construction methods can be adopted. The impact of electromagnetic fields can be understood through monitoring, and shielding measures or optimized designs can be taken when laying cables. The impact of organisms such as birds and bats can also be evaluated through monitoring, and the layout or operation mode of wind farms can be adjusted.

 

Environmental monitoring not only helps wind farms themselves, but also enhances the understanding of the marine environment, such as seawater quality, fish distribution and changes in benthic populations, which is of great value to scientific research and marine protection. Although monitoring work is complicated and requires professional teams and equipment, in the long run, it is a cause that will benefit the present and the future.

 

Specific monitoring methods include using professional instruments to measure the chemical composition of seawater, divers taking samples or underwater cameras to observe seabed organisms, sonar equipment to track fish activities, and radar or positioning devices to monitor birds. These data collection and analysis are essential for protecting the environment and balancing development.

 

In short, offshore wind power is an important part of future clean energy. Through scientific monitoring and management, a win-win situation of green energy development and marine environmental protection can be achieved.

 

Original Chinese Article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/iYYdHhf7jZx6hrO2yTbYQw

Translator: Sara

Reviewed by: Richard

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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