Changes In Armadillidium vulgare Behavior Following
Exposure To Electromagnetic Radiation for Extended
BACKGROUND
Electromagnetic waves surround us every day. Household items such as microwaves,
refrigerators, televisions, internet routers, and cellphones emit low levels of
electromagnetic waves. Studies have found that wildlife, including rats, birds, and
beetles, exhibit differences in behavior after exposure to these waves. Some research
indicates that even low levels of exposure could affect the health and behavior of
humans over time. Understanding the impact of electromagnetic radiation on living
things can help people make informed decisions about exposure to these potential
hazards.
In “Health hazards with electromagnetic radiation” by Subrmani Parasuraman, Eng
You Xin, and Lim Nian Zou. Zou (2018), they state “In our daily life, we are
surrounded by electromagnetic radiation (EMR), there are emitted from the
environment, radio, television, medical diagnostic, and communication devices such
as cell phones, and also Wi-Fi routers. Radiation from cell phone and Wi-Fi is the
radiation that we encountered the most in our life, and this resulted in increased human
exposure to electromagnetic radiation and health risks” (Parasuraman et al, 2018, p. 1).
There are other types of radiation that are called NIR, which can be both man-made
and natural. We live with these sources of radiation and are most likely being affected
by them in negative ways. In Johansson’s (2013) article, “Ants can be used as bio-
indicators to reveal biological effects of electromagnetic waves from some wireless
apparatus” they find that the ants are immediately affected by the radiation thus those
“results confirm that the wireless technology harmfully impacts living organisms and
shows that ants react very quickly to the existence of electromagnetic waves in their
environments” (Cammaets & Johansson, 2013, p. 5).
The purpose of this experiment is to study harmful energy. This experiment was
conducted because people are exposed to electromagnetic radiation every day in
homes, work, and even outside and it is best to be aware of the effects. This
information is directed to everyone that spends most of their lives in proximity to
electromagnetic radiation. They need to make sure that they are not being harmed by
their environment. This will help them by providing evidence that electromagnetic
radiation does affect living organisms.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
If the radiation levels are high, the A. vulgare will be slower. Through the
experiment, subjects 2 and 3 are exposed to electromagnetic radiation. S2
is placed next to the internet router and S3 is near the microwave. S1 is not
exposed to the sources of radiation. All of the subjects are fed the same
amount of food each week and receive the same amount of water in their
encloser.
• Objectives- To find the effect of electromagnetic radiation on living
organisms
• IV- Radiation from a source
• DV- The A. vulgare exposes speed
• Control- No radiation
Graphs
Graph 1 shows the time taken for the A. vulgare to get to the
opposite side of the track/paper towel roll.
The graph on the right describes the highest and lowest radiation
levels each time data was collected from each location.
Periods of Time
Amelia Bennett
MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS
Materials The A. vulgare were affected by the radiation. S2 and 3 had a spike in
● Sources of radiation
their speed when the source had a spike of radiation. The low levels of
● Timer
radiation on the microwave and internet router remained similar in the
● Research Journal
● Pen range of data. The high levels for the internet router and the
● Food for A. vulgare microwave while operating also remained close in range.
● Spray bottle of water
● Electromagnetic radiation detector
● Track(paper towel tube)
● Containers
● A. vulgare
Method(s)
1. Order detector and A. vulgare
2. Buy containers for A. vulgare (4)
3. Put holes in container lids
4. Receive A. vulgare
5. Select 3 A. vulgare to go into the container for the experiment
6. Place paper towels and food into each container
7. Spray each container with water
8. Place the remaining A. vulgare not selected in a container
9. Label the experiment containers with a name (S1, S2, S3) and where to place them
10.Test each of the subjects before exposure to radiation
11. Place the selected A. vulgare near the source of electromagnetic radiation
12.Test A. vulgare every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
13.Test sources every Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday
14.Repeat steps 12 and 13 until enough data is collected
Experimental Set Up (Photo taken by Amelia Bennett) Photograph of an Armadillidium vulgare/Pill Bug
CONCLUSIONS
The hypothesis was correct. The A. vulgare did react to the radiation of the
sources. The A. vulgare like to ‘fall asleep’ in the paper towel tube facing away
from the light source (phone flashlight). They also like to go to the top of the
tube and hang from there and not move. To relieve these obstacles turning the
tube and returning the A. vulgare to the bottom of the track gets it to continue
locomotion. Another solution is to start tapping the tube to prevent the A.
vulgare from falling asleep. A few times, the paper towels within the container
went unchanged because no one was present. Electromagnetic radiation does
affect the speed of travel for A. vulgare.
REFERENCES
All images generated and taken by Amelia Bennett
Cammaerts, M., & Johansson, O. (2013, August 23). Ants can be used as bio-indicators to reveal biological
effects of electromagnetic waves from some wireless apparatus. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from eds-b
ebscohost-com.proxygsu- scob.galileo.usg.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=d6d5121f-bb6e-4a89-
ba95-2e9d7c32f2a5%40pdc-v-sessmgr05
Parasuraman, S., Xin, E. Y., & Zou, L. N. (2018, Fall). Health hazards with electromagnetic radiation. Retrieved
September 30, 2020, from eds-b- ebscohost-com.proxygsu-
scob.galileo.usg.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=1cb6d9d8-af81-458b-bf38
Graph 1 Subject vs Time Graph 2 Subject vs Radiation 5c68222e5069%40sessionmgr103