Effects of pulsed low frequency electromagnetic fields on water characterized by light scattering techniques: role of bubble
Résumé
Well-characterized purified water is exposed for 6 hours to pulsed low frequency weak electromagnetic fields. After various time periods, non-degassed and degassed water samples are analyzed by static light scattering. Just after electromagnetic exposure (day 0), a reduction of more than 20% in the maximum light scattering intensity at 488 nm wavelenght in both non-degassed and degassed samples is observed. By contrast on day 12 the difference persists only in non-degassed water samples. The latter effect is attributed to the different geometries of the containers combined with the basic origin of the whole phenomenon due to gas bubbles present in water. Using dynamic light scattering, the bubble mean diameter is estimated to be around 300 nm. Our results suggest that the electromagnetic exposure acts on gas nanobubbles present in water and emphasizes the role of the gas/liquid interface. The possibility that exposure to electromagnetic fields disturbs the ionic double-layer which contributes to bubbles stabilization in water is discussed.