Ecological impacts of wind turbine blade erosion on blue mussels (Mytilus edulis)

Offshore wind farms (OWFs) introduce novel anthropogenic pressures to marine ecosystems, including the release of organic and inorganic particles from turbine blade erosion, which may impact marine life. This study investigated the potential effects of these particles and their additives on the metabolic profile of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Mussels were exposed in the laboratory to microplastic (MP) particles derived from cryo-milled rotor blade coatings and core materials (glass fiber polymer, GFP) under a simulated worst-case scenario of extensive blade erosion. Enrichment factors (EFs) for metals and metalloids (e.g., Ba, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni) ranged from 0.93 to 6.1, indicating a potential chemical load from the rotor blade materials. Untargeted metabolic profiling of mussel tissues revealed no significant disruptions to metabolic pathways, however trends in metabolite levels suggested potential short-term effects on neuroendocrine systems and possible long-term impacts on energy metabolism. Further research is essential to comprehensively evaluate the potential impacts of OWF erosion on marine environments, particularly in light of the planned expansion of wind farm construction as part of the EU-wide energy transition.
