Transcriptomic analysis of the response mechanisms of black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii) under noise stress from offshore wind farms 

Highlights

• Extended exposure to noise could have implications for the immune system and cardiac health of black rockfish.
• The noise from offshore wind farms have adverse effects on the normal morphology of the sensory hair cells in black rockfish.
• Underwater noise causes metabolic disruption in black rockfish.
• Characteristic assessment of noise at the 5.2 MW single-pile foundation wind turbine in Shandong.

Abstract
During the operational phase of offshore wind farms, the generation of low-frequency underwater noise has received widespread attention due to its potential adverse impact on fish health. This study conducted a field survey of underwater noise at offshore wind farms located in Shandong province, China. Subsequently, a small-scale experiment was conducted to study the stress on black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). The fish were exposed to noise with dominant frequency of 80 Hz, 125 Hz and 250 Hz. These frequencies are same with the frequencies from wind power noise at the actual site. After a 40-day experimental period, transcriptome sequencing was conducted on brain, liver, and kidney tissues of black rockfish to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the response to noise stress originating from offshore wind farms. The results revealed that the 125 Hz group exhibited the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the noise-exposed and control check group (CK group), with a total of 797 in the brain, 1076 in the liver, and 2468 in the kidney. Gene Ontology analysis showed that DEGs were significantly enriched in entries related to cellular processes, membrane components, binding, and metabolism. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that DEGs were enriched mainly in metabolism, immunity, apoptosis, signal transduction, and diseases. The findings indicate that prolonged exposure to underwater noise from offshore wind farms may induce metabolic imbalance, immune dysfunction, and an increased risk of myocardial diseases in black rockfish.

Yining Wang, Liuyi Huang, College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
Kuangmin Gong, Jun Xie, Wei Wang, Jianhao Zheng, Zhangpu Strait Power Generation Co., Zhangzhou, China

Marine Environmental Research
Volume 202, November 2024, 106717
doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106717

See also:  Stress response to anthropogenic noise in Atlantic cod Gadus morhua L.