SPS MICROWAVE EFFECTS ON AIRBORNE BIOTA STATUS REPORT Battista, S.P., Cook, E. J., Kunz, T. H.l Hoyt, Dj Wasserman, F. A., Byman, D.i Youngstrom, K. Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140 A building has been completely renovated and provided with all the services required for maintaining and exposing birds to a wide range of microwave power densities (2.45 GHz). This dedicated microwave exposure facility was constructed at an isolated location to minimize the possibility of accidental exposure of the public to high voltage and microwave radiation. Five microwave exposure chambers and two replicate control chambers are in the final stages of construction. Microwave energy from two generators with 2 adjustable outputs will be used to establish a nominal power density of 25mW/cm in each of two chambers, and a third generator2will be used to establish microwave power densities of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mW/cm in each of the other 3 chambers, respectively. The design of exposure cages (for holding the birds during irradiation) that would not perturb the microwave field has been a demanding task because of limitations in the choice of structural materials that are both microwave transparent and compatible with biological systems. Prototypes, including Emlen orientation cages, have been fabricated. The facility also contains a wind tunnel and two large flight cages. The wind tunnel is an open-jet type and is mounted on a tilt frame for adjusting the flow angle of the air stream. Construction is essentially completed and the unit is presently undergoing final adjustments to obtain uniform air flow. The two flight cages that have been designed and built are large enough to maintain bird fitness for flight in the wind tunnel. The experimental designs for the various studies that are to be conducted at the microwave exposure facility are essentially complete. The goal is to provide data on the following: (1) the effects of microwave irradiation on time budget as measured by foraging behavior (House Sparrow); (2) molt (House finch) (3) nesting and reproductive behavior (Zebra finch), and egg physiology (Coturnix Quail); (4) social interactions (White-throated sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco); (5) attraction/aversion to the microwave beam (House sparrow); and (6) on thermoregulation during flight (Laughing gull, Budgerigar, Pigeon). During construction of the facility, experiments have been conducted at the Manomet Bird Observatory to determine the effects of microwave irradiation on social interactions and survival. Under field conditions and low ambient temp^ eratures, exposures of White-throated sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos to 25 mW/cm for 20 or 200 minutes had no noticeable effects on general behavior except for occassional gaping, reduced fluffing of feathers, and a possible greater tendency to rest. Juncos at 155 and 100 mW/cm2 showed gaping behavior beginning 30 seconds after commencement of irradiation. At these levels, no birds exhibited delayed effects or changes in hierarchial position within the flocks (6 birds) or in type or level of social interaction. During lethality experiments, Darkeyed Juncos were exposed to power densities of 130, 155 and 160 mW/cm^. Besides gaping and panting at 130 mW/cm^, the birds exhibited no adverse effects after 20-minute exposures. One of two birds exposed to 155 mW/cmz and two birds at
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