Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is increasing exponentially worldwide, accelerated by the transition to new efficient lighting technologies. However, ALAN and resulting light pollution can cause unintended physiological consequences. In vertebrates, production of melatonin—the “hormone of darkness” and a key player in circadian regulation—can be suppressed by ALAN. In this paper, we provide an overview of research on melatonin and ALAN in vertebrates. We discuss how ALAN disrupts natural photic environments, its effect on melatonin and circadian rhythms, and different photoreceptor systems across vertebrate taxa. We then present the results of a systematic review in which we identified studies on melatonin under typical light-polluted conditions in fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans. Melatonin is suppressed by extremely low light intensities in many vertebrates, ranging from 0.01–0.03 lx for fishes and rodents to 6 lx for sensitive humans. Even lower, wavelength-dependent intensities are implied by some studies and require rigorous testing in ecological contexts. In many studies, melatonin suppression occurs at the minimum light levels tested, and, in better-studied groups, melatonin suppression is reported to occur at lower light levels. We identify major research gaps and conclude that, for most groups, crucial information is lacking. No studies were identified for amphibians and reptiles and long-term impacts of low-level ALAN exposure are unknown. Given the high sensitivity of vertebrate melatonin production to ALAN and the paucity of available information, it is crucial to research impacts of ALAN further in order to inform effective mitigation strategies for human health and the wellbeing and fitness of vertebrates in natural ecosystems.

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References

Details

Published: Nov 14, 2019
Vol/Issue: 11(22)
Pages: 6400
License: View

Authors

M

Maja Grubisic

Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12435 Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany

A

Abraham Haim

The Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa, 31905 Haifa, Israel

P

Pramod Bhusal

Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland

D

Davide M. Dominoni

Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G128QQ, UK

K

Katharina M. A. Gabriel

Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany

A

Andreas Jechow

Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12435 Berlin, Germany; Remote Sensing, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, 14473 Potsdam, Germany

F

Franziska Kupprat

Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12435 Berlin, Germany

A

Amit Lerner

Department of Physical Oceanography, Israel Oceanography and Limnology Research, Tel Shikmona, 31080 Haifa, Israel

P

Paul Marchant

University Research Office, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; Clinical and Population Studies Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK

W

William Riley

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33OHT, UK

K

Katarina Stebelova

Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia

R

Roy H. A. van Grunsven

Dutch Butterfly Conservation, 6700 AM Wageningen, The Netherlands

M

Michal Zeman

Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia

A

Abed E. Zubidat

The Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Chronobiology, University of Haifa, 31905 Haifa, Israel

F

Franz Hölker

Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12435 Berlin, Germany

Funding

European Cooperation in Science and Technology Award: ES1204 LoNNe (Loss of the Night Network)

Slovak Research and Development Agency Award: APVV-17-0178

Leibniz-Gemeinschaft Award: ILES (SAW‐2015‐IGB‐1) and CONNECT (SAW‐K45/2017)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Award: SF0258 and SA001

Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei Award: Frontiers in Freshwater Science project (IGB Frontiers 2017)

Dahlem Research School, Freie Universität Berlin Award: DRS HONORS fellowship

Cite This Article

Maja Grubisic, Abraham Haim, Pramod Bhusal, et al. (2019). Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates. Sustainability, 11(22), 6400. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226400

Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates

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