Offshore wind energy: assessing trace element inputs and the risks for co-location of aquaculture #GBR

Abstract: Co-locating aquaculture with Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) is a novel global energy sustainability policy driver. However, trace elements (TEs) from turbine corrosion-protection systems could generate significant ecosystem, economic, and human health risks. We calculate annual inputs for current European OWF capacity (30 GW) as: 3219 t aluminium, 1148 t zinc and 1.9 t indium, but these will increase ~12× by 2050, eclipsing known discharges. However, a paucity of industry data makes it impossible to compare water and sediment TE concentrations at operational OWFs . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/offshore-wind-energy-assessing-trace-element-inputs-and-the-risks-for-co-location-of-aquaculture/