Karl-May-Str. 48, 96049 Bamberg, Germany.
C/Navarra, 1 5°B, 47007 Valladolid, Spain.
Sci Total Environ. 2016 Dec 1;572:554-569. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.045. Epub 2016 Aug 24.
In the last two decades, the deployment of phone masts around the world has taken place and, for many years, there has been a discussion in the scientific community about the possible environmental impact from mobile phone base stations. Trees have several advantages over animals as experimental subjects and the aim of this study was to verify whether there is a connection between unusual (generally unilateral) tree damage and radiofrequency exposure. To achieve this, a detailed long-term (2006-2015) field monitoring study was performed in the cities of Bamberg and Hallstadt (Germany). During monitoring, observations and photographic recordings of unusual or unexplainable tree damage were taken, alongside the measurement of electromagnetic radiation. In 2015 measurements of RF-EMF (Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields) were carried out. A polygon spanning both cities was chosen as the study site, where 144 measurements of the radiofrequency of electromagnetic fields were taken at a height of 1.5m in streets and parks at different locations. By interpolation of the 144 measurement points, we were able to compile an electromagnetic map of the power flux density in Bamberg and Hallstadt. We selected 60 damaged trees, in addition to 30 randomly selected trees and 30 trees in low radiation areas (n=120) in this polygon. The measurements of all trees revealed significant differences between the damaged side facing a phone mast and the opposite side, as well as differences between the exposed side of damaged trees and all other groups of trees in both sides. Thus, we found that side differences in measured values of power flux density corresponded to side differences in damage. The 30 selected trees in low radiation areas (no visual contact to any phone mast and power flux density under 50μW/m) showed no damage. Statistical analysis demonstrated that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone masts is harmful for trees. These results are consistent with the fact that damage afflicted on trees by mobile phone towers usually start on one side, extending to the whole tree over time.
在过去的二十年中，世界各地已经部署了手机桅杆，多年来，科学界一直在讨论移动电话基站可能带来的环境影响。树木作为实验对象有几个优点，本研究的目的是验证异常（通常是单侧）树木损害与射频辐射之间是否存在联系。为了实现这一目标，在德国的班贝格和哈尔斯塔特市进行了一项详细的长期（2006-2015 年）现场监测研究。在监测过程中，对异常或无法解释的树木损害进行了观察和摄影记录，同时还进行了电磁辐射测量。2015 年进行了射频电磁场（RF-EMF）的测量。选择跨越两个城市的多边形作为研究地点，在不同位置的街道和公园中，在 1.5 米的高度处对电磁场所需的射频进行了 144 次测量。通过对 144 个测量点进行插值，我们能够编制出班贝格和哈尔斯塔特市的电磁场功率通量密度电磁图。在这个多边形中，我们选择了 60 棵受损树木，此外还选择了 30 棵随机选择的树木和 30 棵低辐射区的树木（n=120）。对所有树木的测量显示，面对手机桅杆的受损侧与另一侧之间以及受损树木的暴露侧与两侧的所有其他树木组之间存在显著差异。因此，我们发现功率通量密度测量值的侧面差异与损伤的侧面差异相对应。在低辐射区（与任何手机桅杆无视觉接触，功率通量密度低于 50μW/m）选择的 30 棵树木没有损坏。统计分析表明，来自移动电话桅杆的电磁辐射对树木有害。这些结果与移动电话塔对树木造成的损害通常从一侧开始并随着时间的推移扩展到整棵树的事实一致。
