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Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates

Author

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  • 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)

  • Abraham Haim

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

  • Pramod Bhusal

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

  • Davide M. Dominoni

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

  • Katharina M. A. Gabriel

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

  • Andreas Jechow

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

  • Franziska Kupprat

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

  • Amit Lerner

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

  • 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)

  • William Riley

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

  • Katarina Stebelova

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

  • Roy H. A. van Grunsven

    (Dutch Butterfly Conservation, 6700 AM Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Michal Zeman

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

  • Abed E. Zubidat

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

  • Franz Hölker

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

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Maja Grubisic & Abraham Haim & Pramod Bhusal & Davide M. Dominoni & Katharina M. A. Gabriel & Andreas Jechow & Franziska Kupprat & Amit Lerner & Paul Marchant & William Riley & Katarina Stebelova & Ro, 2019. "Light Pollution, Circadian Photoreception, and Melatonin in Vertebrates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-51, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:22:p:6400-:d:286859
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lauren Walmsley & Lydia Hanna & Josh Mouland & Franck Martial & Alexander West & Andrew R Smedley & David A Bechtold & Ann R Webb & Robert J Lucas & Timothy M Brown, 2015. "Colour As a Signal for Entraining the Mammalian Circadian Clock," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, April.
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    1. Anna Beniermann & Martin Glos & Heike Schumacher & Ingo Fietze & Stephan Völker & Annette Upmeier zu Belzen, 2023. "‘Sleep Blindness’ in Science Education: How Sleep Health Literacy Can Serve as a Link between Health Education and Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Annika K. Jägerbrand & Constantinos A. Bouroussis, 2021. "Ecological Impact of Artificial Light at Night: Effective Strategies and Measures to Deal with Protected Species and Habitats," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-24, May.
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    5. Karolina M. Zielińska-Dabkowska & Kyra Xavia & Katarzyna Bobkowska, 2020. "Assessment of Citizens’ Actions against Light Pollution with Guidelines for Future Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-32, June.
    6. Sibylle Schroer & Benedikt John Huggins & Clementine Azam & Franz Hölker, 2020. "Working with Inadequate Tools: Legislative Shortcomings in Protection against Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-38, March.
    7. Maria Vogiatzaki & Stelios Zerefos & Marzia Hoque Tania, 2020. "Enhancing City Sustainability through Smart Technologies: A Framework for Automatic Pre-Emptive Action to Promote Safety and Security Using Lighting and ICT-Based Surveillance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-20, July.
    8. David Baeza Moyano & Mónica San Juan Fernández & Roberto Alonso González Lezcano, 2020. "Towards a Sustainable Indoor Lighting Design: Effects of Artificial Light on the Emotional State of Adolescents in the Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-27, May.
    9. Catherine Pérez Vega & Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska & Franz Hölker, 2021. "Urban Lighting Research Transdisciplinary Framework—A Collaborative Process with Lighting Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Alejandro Martínez-Martín & Adrián Bocho-Roas & Diego Carmona-Fernández & Manuel Calderón-Godoy & Miguel Ángel Jaramillo-Morán & Juan Félix González, 2023. "Influence of Illumination Parameters on Night Sky Observation in Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    11. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska, 2022. "Healthier and Environmentally Responsible Sustainable Cities and Communities. A New Design Framework and Planning Approach for Urban Illumination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, November.
    12. Radoslava Kanianska & Jana Škvareninová & Stanislav Kaniansky, 2020. "Landscape Potential and Light Pollution as Key Factors for Astrotourism Development: A Case Study of a Slovak Upland Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-16, October.
    13. Shenfei Chen & Bing Zhang & Xianxian Zeng & Yi Lin & Haitian Zhao, 2023. "Methods to Reduce Flicker and Light Pollution of Low-Mounting-Height Luminaires in Urban Road Lighting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.
    14. Annika K. Jägerbrand, 2021. "Development of an Indicator System for Local Governments to Plan and Evaluate Sustainable Outdoor Lighting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, February.

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