General information about offshore wind developments, their impacts on human health, fishing, and the Economy

The Mid-Atlantic Cold Pool (MAB) is a seasonal cold bottom water mass that supports coastal ecosystems and fisheries, but dissipates in fall due to mixing events. Offshore wind energy development in the MAB has raised concerns about its potential impact on ocean mixing and seasonal stratification, as similar studies in Europe suggest such developments can affect the Cold Pool. A recent study evaluates the seasonal overlap between the Cold Pool and wind lease areas in the MAB, revealing persistent thermal gradients and cross-shelf variability, emphasizing the need for further research on the effects of wind farms on the region's coastal environment.

A review of scientific literature highlights the effects of microplastic pollution, focusing on environmental contamination, human uptake, and animal health impacts. Numerous studies show microplastics harm aquatic organisms. Invertebrates experience reduced feeding, fertility, slowed growth, increased oxygen consumption, and oxidative stress. Fish suffer structural damage to organs, behavioral changes, and fertility issues, with severity depending on particle size, dose, and exposure. The review concludes that microplastics pollute the seas and harm aquatic health.

The U.S. East Coast has leased 1.7 million acres for offshore wind energy development, potentially impacting the oceanographic conditions of the Atlantic continental shelf, including the Cold Pool—a critical area for fisheries. This paper reviews existing research on how wind farms may affect the Cold Pool’s stratification, which could disrupt the region's marine ecosystems and fisheries, highlighting the need for further study on how wind energy installations interact with these processes.

The report examines how offshore wind farms could impact the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool by altering ocean stratification and dynamics, potentially disrupting critical marine ecosystems and fisheries, and emphasizes the need for targeted research on these interactions.