EMF-Portal | Effect of 9.6-GHz pulsed microwaves on the orb web spinning ability of the cross spider (Araneus diadematus)

Effect of 9.6-GHz pulsed microwaves on the orb web spinning ability of the cross spider (Araneus diadematus) med./bio.

By: Liddle CG, Putnam JP, Lewter OL, Lewis JY, Bell B, West MW, Stead A

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1986; 7 (1): 101-105

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Web-spinning ability of the spider was employed to investigate the effect of microwaves on CNS function.

Background/further details

The ability of cross spider to spin an orb web is changed by many drugs that affect the CNS activity, and therefore it can be used as a screening test for the CNS activity of drugs.

Endpoint

orb web spinning ability

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 9.6 GHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 16 h	power density: 100 W/m² mean (estimated SAR value: 40 mW/g) power density: 1 W/m² mean (estimated SAR value: 0.4 mW/g) power density: 10 W/m² mean (estimated SAR value: 4 mW/g)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	9.6 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	sinusoidal
Exposure duration	continuous for 16 h
Additional info	calculated resonant frequency: 10.2 GHz

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	1 µs
Packets per second	1,000
Additional info	970-1000 pulses/sec

Exposure setup

Distance between measurement device and exposed object	0.15 m
Chamber	Environmentally controlled Styrofoam anechoic chamber maintained at 22°C and 50% relativ humidity
Additional info	For microwave exposure and sham exposure frames of plexiglas (outside frame support 0.95-1.27cm strips; front and back panels 0.32cm, overall dimension 45x33x7cm hxwxd) were used.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	100 W/m²	mean	measured	-	estimated SAR value: 40 mW/g
power density	1 W/m²	mean	measured	-	estimated SAR value: 0.4 mW/g
power density	10 W/m²	mean	measured	-	estimated SAR value: 4 mW/g

Reference articles

Liddle CG et al. (1980): Alteration of circulating antibody response of mice exposed to 9-GHz pulsed microwaves

Exposed system:

invertebrate
cross spider (Araneus diadematus)
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

orb web spinning ability (size, symmetry, angle regularity, mesh width, shape, thread elements)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Under these experimental conditions, 9.6-GHz pulsed microwaves did not affect the web patterns and the web-spinning ability of the cross spider.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
Brief Communications

Study funded by

not stated/no funding