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de Menezes AB, Gashchak S, Wood MD, Beresford NA. Relationships between radiation, wildfire and the soil microbial communities in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175381. [PMID: 39122033 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
There is considerable uncertainty regarding radiation's effects on biodiversity in natural complex ecosystems typically subjected to multiple environmental disturbances and stresses. In this study we characterised the relationships between soil microbial communities and estimated total absorbed dose rates to bacteria, grassy vegetation and trees in the Red Forest region of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Samples were taken from sites of contrasting ecological histories and along burn and no burn areas following a wildfire. Estimated total absorbed dose rates to bacteria reached levels one order of magnitude higher than those known to affect bacteria in laboratory studies. Sites with harsher ecological conditions, notably acidic pH and low soil moisture, tended to have higher radiation contamination levels. No relationship between the effects of fire and radiation were observed. Microbial groups that correlated with high radiation sites were mostly classified to taxa associated with high environmental stress habitats or stress resistance traits. Distance-based linear models and co-occurrence analysis revealed that the effects of radiation on the soil microbiome were minimal. Hence, the association between high radiation sites and specific microbial groups is more likely a result of the harsher ecological conditions in these sites, rather than due to radiation itself. In this study, we provide a starting point for understanding the relationship between soil microbial communities and estimated total absorbed radiation dose rates to different components of an ecosystem highly contaminated with radiation. Our results suggest that soil microbiomes adapted to natural soil conditions are more likely to be resistant to ionising radiation than expected from laboratory studies, which demonstrates the importance of assessing the impact of ionising radiation on soil microbial communities under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Barretto de Menezes
- University of Galway, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Ryan Institute, University Road, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Sergii Gashchak
- Chornobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste & Radioecology, International Radioecology Laboratory, Slavutych, Kyiv Region, Ukraine.
| | - Michael D Wood
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicholas A Beresford
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, United Kingdom; Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, CEH Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Av., Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
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Bondarenko V, Geras'kin S, Bondarenko E, Yoschenko V, Bondarenko S, Khanova A, Garbaruk D, Nanba K. Comparative analysis of epigenetic variability in two pine species exposed to chronic radiation in the chernobyl and fukushima affected zones. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 330:121799. [PMID: 37169241 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analysis of epigenetic variability in two pine species affected as a result of the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents is presented. The absorbed dose rate within the affected Chernobyl sites varies over a wider range (1.5-24.6 μGy/h) than within the Fukushima sites (3.5-6.5 μGy/h). It was shown that chronic irradiation can change the level of whole genome methylation in pine populations, but in different ways. The genomes of Japanese red pines are hypomethylated, and the degree of methylation and hydroxymethylation decreases with an increase in the level of radiation exposure. In contrast, the percentages of genome methylation and hydroxymethylation in Scots pine populations exceed the reference levels. The observed discrepancy in the patterns of genome-wide DNA methylation can be attributed partly to the design of the study (differences in the climate, radiation dose, age and species of the pines) which could affect the results. In the frame of IRAP analysis, a larger number of different bands was observed in the Chernobyl populations compared to the Japanese populations. Both the Japanese and Chernobyl populations are characterized by significant genetic variability. However, the main part of this variability is observed within populations. The dendrograms, based on presence/absence of IRAP fragments and Nei's genetic distances, revealed subdivisions of the Chernobyl and Japanese populations according to the level of radioactive contamination. Analysis of the results presented will improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the responses of pine trees to chronic radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Bondarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation.
| | - Ekaterina Bondarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Vasyl Yoschenko
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
| | - Sergey Bondarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasiya Khanova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe Shosse, 109 Km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region, 249032, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitriy Garbaruk
- Polesye State Radiation-Ecological Reserve, 247618, Tereshkovoy Str. 7, Khoyniki, Belarus
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
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Katsidi EC, Avramidou EV, Ganopoulos I, Barbas E, Doulis A, Triantafyllou A, Aravanopoulos FA. Genetics and epigenetics of Pinus nigra populations with differential exposure to air pollution. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1139331. [PMID: 37089661 PMCID: PMC10117940 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1139331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Forest species in the course of their evolution have experienced several environmental challenges, which since historic times include anthropogenic pollution. The effects of pollution on the genetic and epigenetic diversity in black pine (Pinus nigra) forests were investigated in the Amyntaio - Ptolemais - Kozani Basin, which has been for decades the largest lignite mining and burning center of Greece, with a total installed generating capacity of about 4.5 GW, operating for more than 70 years and resulting in large amounts of primary air pollutant emissions, mainly SO2, NOx and PM10. P. nigra, a biomarker for air pollution and a keystone species of affected natural ecosystems, was examined in terms of phenology (cone and seed parameters), genetics (283 AFLP loci) and epigenetics (606 MSAP epiloci), using two populations (exposed to pollution and control) of the current (mature trees) and future (embryos) stand. It was found that cone, seed, as well as genetic diversity parameters, did not show statistically significant differences between the exposed population and the control. Nevertheless, statistically significant differences were detected at the population epigenetic level. Moreover, there was a further differentiation regarding the intergenerational comparison: while the epigenetic diversity does not substantially change in the two generations assessed in the control population, epigenetic diversity is significantly higher in the embryo population compared to the parental stand in the exposed population. This study sheds a light to genome dynamics in a forest tree population exposed to long term atmospheric pollution burden and stresses the importance of assessing both genetics and epigenetics in biomonitoring applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissavet Ch. Katsidi
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry & Environmental Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia V. Avramidou
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry & Environmental Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Ganopoulos
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry & Environmental Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Barbas
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry & Environmental Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas Doulis
- Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology – Genomic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER, Institute of Viticulture, Floriculture and Vegetable Crops, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Athanasios Triantafyllou
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Environmental Physics (LALEP), Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece
| | - Filippos A. Aravanopoulos
- Laboratory of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry & Environmental Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- *Correspondence: Filippos A. Aravanopoulos,
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Holiaka D, Fesenko S, Kashparov V, Protsak V, Levchuk S, Holiaka M. Effects of radiation on radial growth of Scots pine in areas highly affected by the Chernobyl accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 222:106320. [PMID: 32892896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of radiation on radial growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) affected by the Chernobyl accident were studied at five sites with different deposition levels. The study sites were chosen along a high gradient of depositions at the distance of a few hundred meters in the forests with similar forest characteristics. Air dose rates varied at the sites from the background values up to 30 μGy h-1 as of December 1, 2016. Scots pine trees exposed to sub-lethal doses of 8.6-13.2 Gy at the "Red Forest" site did not demonstrate deviations in formation of annual rings 30 years after the Chernobyl accident compared to trees with lower doses and control trees. Variation with time in annual rings thickness did reveal that the effect of radiation in trees growing at the sites with different contamination not detectable in 1986 and 1987. Conversely, the effects were clear observed in a later period in 1989-1991, i.e. 3-5 years after the accident. Until 2000, there were statistically significant differences in the annual rings growth rates of Scots pine trees exposed to external absorbed dose rates of 4.4-6.7 mGy h-1 as estimated for June 1, 1986 (or 19.5-30.0 μGy h-1 as of December 1, 2016) compared with the trees of the other sites studied. The results comply with the conclusions from research with acute pine exposure conducted in the Kyshtym area in 1975-1984.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Holiaka
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - S Fesenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - V Kashparov
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine; CERAD CoE Environmental Radioactivity Department of Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Aas, Norway
| | - V Protsak
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - S Levchuk
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - M Holiaka
- Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
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Cannon G, Kiang JG. A review of the impact on the ecosystem after ionizing irradiation: wildlife population. Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 98:1054-1062. [PMID: 32663058 PMCID: PMC10139769 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1793021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE On 26 April 1986, reactor 4 at the Chernobyl power plant underwent a catastrophic failure leading to core explosions and open-air fires. On 11 March 2011, a combination of earthquake and tsunami led to a similar disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. In both cases, radioactive isotopes were released and contaminated the air, soil and water in a substantial area around the power plants. Humans were evacuated from the immediate regions but the wildlife stayed and continued to be affected by the ongoing high radiation exposure initially and later decayed amounts of fallout dusts with time. In this review, we will examine the significant effects of the increased radiation on vegetation, insects, fish, birds and mammals. CONCLUSIONS The initial intense radiation in these areas has gradually begun to decrease but still remains high. Adaptation to radiation is evident and the ecosystems have dynamically changed from the periods immediately after the accidents to the present day. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow the adaptation and recovery of wildlife to chronic radiation challenges would aid in future attempts at ecosystem remediation in the wake of such incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgetta Cannon
- Radiation Combined Injury Program, Scientific Research Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Juliann G Kiang
- Radiation Combined Injury Program, Scientific Research Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Grdiša M, Radosavljević I, Liber Z, Stefkov G, Ralli P, Chatzopoulou PS, Carović-Stanko K, Šatović Z. Divergent selection and genetic structure of Sideritis scardica populations from southern Balkan Peninsula as revealed by AFLP fingerprinting. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12767. [PMID: 31484938 PMCID: PMC6726656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49097-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sideritis scardica Giseb. is a subalpine/alpine plant species endemic to the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. In this study, we combined Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and environmental data to examine the adaptive genetic variations in S. scardica natural populations sampled in contrasting environments. A total of 226 AFLP loci were genotyped in 166 individuals from nine populations. The results demonstrated low gene diversity, ranging from 0.095 to 0.133 and significant genetic differentiation ranging from 0.115 to 0.408. Seven genetic clusters were revealed by Bayesian clustering methods as well as by Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components and each population formed its respective cluster. The exception were populations P02 Mt. Shara and P07 Mt. Vermio, that were admixed between two clusters. Both landscape genetic methods Mcheza and BayeScan identified a total of seven (3.10%) markers exhibiting higher levels of genetic differentiation among populations. The spatial analysis method Samβada detected 50 individual markers (22.12%) associated with bioclimatic variables, among them seven were identified by both Mcheza and BayeScan as being under directional selection. Four bioclimatic variables associated with five out of seven outliers were related to precipitation, suggesting that this variable is the key factor affecting the adaptive variation of S. scardica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Grdiša
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Seed Science and Technology Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Radosavljević
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 9A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zlatko Liber
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Botany, Marulićev trg 9A, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gjoshe Stefkov
- University Ss. Cyril and Methodius Skopje, Faculty of Pharmacy, Vodnjanska 17, 1000, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
| | - Parthenopi Ralli
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER, Institute of Breeding and Plant Genetic Resources, Thermi - Thessalonikis, PO Box 60411, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paschalina S Chatzopoulou
- Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER, Institute of Breeding and Plant Genetic Resources, Thermi - Thessalonikis, PO Box 60411, 57001, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Klaudija Carović-Stanko
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Seed Science and Technology Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zlatko Šatović
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Seed Science and Technology Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity and Molecular Plant Breeding (CoE CroP-BioDiv), Svetošimunska 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Geras'kin S, Volkova P, Vasiliyev D, Dikareva N, Oudalova A, Kazakova E, Makarenko E, Duarte G, Kuzmenkov A. Scots pine as a promising indicator organism for biomonitoring of the polluted environment: A case study on chronically irradiated populations. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2019; 842:3-13. [PMID: 31255224 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In this paper the main results of long-term (2003-2016) observations on Scots pine populations inhabiting sites affected by the Chernobyl accident are presented. Populations growing for many years under chronic radiation exposure are characterized by the enhanced mutation rates, increased genetic diversity, changes in the gene expression and in the level of genome-wide methylation, alterations in the temporal dynamics of cytogenetic abnormalities and genetic structure of populations. However, significant changes at the genetic level had no effects on enzymatic activity, morphological abnormalities, and reproductive ability of pine trees. The results presented increase our understanding of the long-term effects of chronic radiation exposure on plant populations in the wild nature and provide important information for the management and monitoring of radioactively contaminated territories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Polina Volkova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Denis Vasiliyev
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Nina Dikareva
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Alla Oudalova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russia; Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Obninsk, Russia
| | | | | | - Gustavo Duarte
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russia; Institute Jean-Pierre Bourgin, Versailles, France
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8
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Horemans N, Nauts R, Vives I Batlle J, Van Hees M, Jacobs G, Voorspoels S, Gaschak S, Nanba K, Saenen E. Genome-wide DNA methylation changes in two Brassicaceae species sampled alongside a radiation gradient in Chernobyl and Fukushima. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:405-416. [PMID: 30055441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The long-term radiological impact to the environment of the nuclear accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima is still under discussion. In the course of spring of 2016 we sampled two Brassicacea plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Capsella bursa-pastoris native to Ukraine and Japan, respectively, alongside a gradient of radiation within the exclusion and difficult to return zones of Chernobyl (CEZ) and Fukushima (FEZ). Ambient dose rates were similar for both sampling gradients ranging from 0.5 to 80 μGy/h at plant height. The hypothesis was tested whether a history of several generations of plants growing in enhanced radiation exposure conditions would have led to changes in genome-wide DNA methylation. However, no differences were found in the global percentage of 5-methylated cytosines in Capsella bursa pastoris plants sampled in FEZ. On the other hand a significant decrease in whole genome methylation percentage in Arabidopsis thaliana plants was found in CEZ mainly governed by the highest exposed plants. These data support a link between exposure to changed environmental conditions and changes genome methylation. In addition to methylation the activity concentration of different radionuclides, 137Cs, 90Sr, 241Am and Pu-238,239,240 for CEZ and 137, 134Cs for FEZ, was analysed in both soil and plant samples. The ratio of 5.6 between 137Cs compared to 134Cs was as expected five years after the FEZ accident. For CEZ 137Cs is the most abundant polluting radionuclide in soil followed by 90Sr. Whereas 241Am and Pu-isotopes are only marginally present. In the plant tissue, however, higher levels of Sr than Cs were retrieved due to a high uptake of 90Sr in the plants. The 90Sr transfer factors ranged in CEZ from 5 to 20 (kg/kg) depending on the locality. Based on the activity concentrations of the different radionuclides the ERICA tool was used to estimate the total dose rates to the plants. It was found that for FEZ the doses was mainly contributable to the external Cs-isotopes and as such estimated total dose rates (0.13-38 μGy/h) were in the same range as the ambient measured dose rates. In strong contrast this was not true for CEZ where the total dose rate was mainly due to high uptake of the 90Sr leading to dose rates ranging from 1 to 370 μGy/h. Hence our data clearly indicate that not taking into account the internal contamination in CEZ will lead to considerable underestimation of the doses to the plants. Additionally they show that it is hard to compare the two nuclear accidental sites and one of the main reasons is the difference in contamination profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Research, University of Hasselt, Universiteitslaan 1, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Robin Nauts
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jordi Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - May Van Hees
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Griet Jacobs
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO Nv), Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Stefan Voorspoels
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO Nv), Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Sergey Gaschak
- Chernobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology, International Radioecology Laboratory, 07100, Slavutych, Ukraine
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
| | - Eline Saenen
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium
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9
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Volkova PY, Geras'kin SA, Horemans N, Makarenko ES, Saenen E, Duarte GT, Nauts R, Bondarenko VS, Jacobs G, Voorspoels S, Kudin M. Chronic radiation exposure as an ecological factor: Hypermethylation and genetic differentiation in irradiated Scots pine populations. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 232:105-112. [PMID: 28931465 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Genetic and epigenetic changes were investigated in chronically irradiated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations from territories that were heavily contaminated by radionuclides as result of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. In comparison to the reference site, the genetic diversity revealed by electrophoretic mobility of AFLPs was found to be significantly higher at the radioactively contaminated areas. In addition, the genome of pine trees was significantly hypermethylated at 4 of the 7 affected sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Yu Volkova
- Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249030, Obninsk, Russian Federation.
| | - S A Geras'kin
- Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249030, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - N Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - E S Makarenko
- Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249030, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - E Saenen
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - G T Duarte
- Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249030, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - R Nauts
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - V S Bondarenko
- Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249030, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - G Jacobs
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO NV), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - S Voorspoels
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO NV), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - M Kudin
- Polessye State Radiation Ecological Reserve, 247618, Belarus
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10
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Yoschenko V, Nanba K, Yoshida S, Watanabe Y, Takase T, Sato N, Keitoku K. Morphological abnormalities in Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) at the territories contaminated as a result of the accident at Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 165:60-67. [PMID: 27637076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Our research, carried out in 2014-2016 at eight sites in the radioactive contaminated territories of Fukushima Prefecture, showed that the young trees of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) are sensitive to radiation. Irradiation induced cancellation of the apical dominance in this species. The effect is similar to that observed in young trees of Scots pine growing in the Chernobyl zone. At the same time, we did not observed any morphological abnormalities in mature trees of Japanese red pine. The probability of cancelling the apical dominance in Japanese red pine increased to 0.11 and 0.14 in the two less irradiated populations, and to 0.5 and 0.9 at sites were the absorbed dose rates were approximately 14 and 25 μGy h-1, respectively. Most of the observed abnormalities appeared in the second whorl after the beginning of exposure. No new abnormalities were observed in the fifth whorl. This temporal pattern is similar to those reported for Scots pine in Chernobyl and for Japanese fir in Fukushima. Additional detailed studies are necessary for interpretation of the observed temporal pattern and, in general, for explanation of the mechanism of formation of the morphological abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasyl Yoschenko
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan.
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoshida
- Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshito Watanabe
- Fukushima Project Headquarters, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tsugiko Takase
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
| | - Natsumi Sato
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
| | - Koji Keitoku
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima, 960-1296, Japan
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11
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Yemets AI, Blume RY, Sorochinsky BV. Adaptation of the gymnosperms to the conditions of irradiation in the Chernobyl zone: from morphological abnormalities to the molecular genetic consequences. CYTOL GENET+ 2016. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452716060086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Lourenço J, Mendo S, Pereira R. Radioactively contaminated areas: Bioindicator species and biomarkers of effect in an early warning scheme for a preliminary risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 317:503-542. [PMID: 27343869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the impacts on public health and on the natural environment have been raised regarding the full range of operational activities related to uranium mining and the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle (including nuclear accidents), nuclear tests and depleted uranium from military ammunitions. However, the environmental impacts of such activities, as well as their ecotoxicological/toxicological profile, are still poorly studied. Herein, it is discussed if organisms can be used as bioindicators of human health effects, posed by lifetime exposure to radioactively contaminated areas. To do so, information was gathered from several studies performed on vertebrates, invertebrate species and humans, living in these contaminated areas. The retrieved information was compared, to determine which are the most used bioindicators and biomarkers and also the similarities between human and non-human biota responses. The data evaluated are used to support the proposal for an early warning scheme, based on bioindicator species and on the most sensitive and commonly shared biomarkers, to perform a screening evaluation of radioactively contaminated sites. This scheme could be used to support decision-making for a deeper evaluation of risks to human health, making it possible to screen a large number of areas, without disturbing and alarming local populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Porto, Portugal
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13
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Geras'kin SA, Volkova PY. Genetic diversity in Scots pine populations along a radiation exposure gradient. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 496:317-327. [PMID: 25087063 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 07/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms of antioxidant enzymes were studied in the endosperm and embryos of seeds from Scots pine populations inhabiting sites in the Bryansk region of Russia radioactively contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl accident. Chronic radiation exposure at dose rates from 0.8 μGy/h led to a significant increase in the rate of enzymatic loci mutations. The main parameters of genetic variability of the affected Scots pine populations had considerably higher values than those from the reference site. Changes in the genetic makeup of Scots pine populations were observed at dose rates greater than 10.4 μGy/h. However, the higher mutation rate had no effect on the activities of antioxidant enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav A Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109km, 249032 Obninsk, Russia.
| | - Polina Yu Volkova
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109km, 249032 Obninsk, Russia
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14
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Soto-Cerda BJ, Cloutier S. Outlier Loci and Selection Signatures of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) in Flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.). PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTER 2013; 31:978-990. [PMID: 24415843 PMCID: PMC3881565 DOI: 10.1007/s11105-013-0568-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Genomic microsatellites (gSSRs) and expressed sequence tag-derived SSRs (EST-SSRs) have gained wide application for elucidating genetic diversity and population structure in plants. Both marker systems are assumed to be selectively neutral when making demographic inferences, but this assumption is rarely tested. In this study, three neutrality tests were assessed for identifying outlier loci among 150 SSRs (85 gSSRs and 65 EST-SSRs) that likely influence estimates of population structure in three differentiated flax sub-populations (FST = 0.19). Moreover, the utility of gSSRs, EST-SSRs, and the combined sets of SSRs was also evaluated in assessing genetic diversity and population structure in flax. Six outlier loci were identified by at least two neutrality tests showing footprints of balancing selection. After removing the outlier loci, the STRUCTURE analysis and the dendrogram topology of EST-SSRs improved. Conversely, gSSRs and combined SSRs results did not change significantly, possibly as a consequence of the higher number of neutral loci assessed. Taken together, the genetic structure analyses established the superiority of gSSRs to determine the genetic relationships among flax accessions, although the combined SSRs produced the best results. Genetic diversity parameters did not differ statistically (P > 0.05) between gSSRs and EST-SSRs, an observation partially explained by the similar number of repeat motifs. Our study provides new insights into the ability of gSSRs and EST-SSRs to measure genetic diversity and structure in flax and confirms the importance of testing for the occurrence of outlier loci to properly assess natural and breeding populations, particularly in studies considering only few loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braulio J. Soto-Cerda
- Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 195 Dafoe Rd, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3T 2M9
- Agriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center, Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, CGNA, Km 10 Camino Cajón-Vilcún, INIA, Temuco, Chile
| | - Sylvie Cloutier
- Cereal Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 195 Dafoe Rd, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3T 2M9
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Wang T, Chen G, Zan Q, Wang C, Su YJ. AFLP genome scan to detect genetic structure and candidate loci under selection for local adaptation of the invasive weed Mikania micrantha. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41310. [PMID: 22829939 PMCID: PMC3400595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Why some species become successful invaders is an important issue in invasive biology. However, limited genomic resources make it very difficult for identifying candidate genes involved in invasiveness. Mikania micrantha H.B.K. (Asteraceae), one of the world's most invasive weeds, has adapted rapidly in response to novel environments since its introduction to southern China. In its genome, we expect to find outlier loci under selection for local adaptation, critical to dissecting the molecular mechanisms of invasiveness. An explorative amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genome scan was used to detect candidate loci under selection in 28 M. micrantha populations across its entire introduced range in southern China. We also estimated population genetic parameters, bottleneck signatures, and linkage disequilibrium. In binary characters, such as presence or absence of AFLP bands, if all four character combinations are present, it is referred to as a character incompatibility. Since character incompatibility is deemed to be rare in populations with extensive asexual reproduction, a character incompatibility analysis was also performed in order to infer the predominant mating system in the introduced M. micrantha populations. Out of 483 AFLP loci examined using stringent significance criteria, 14 highly credible outlier loci were identified by Dfdist and Bayescan. Moreover, remarkable genetic variation, multiple introductions, substantial bottlenecks and character compatibility were found to occur in M. micrantha. Thus local adaptation at the genome level indeed exists in M. micrantha, and may represent a major evolutionary mechanism of successful invasion. Interactions between genetic diversity, multiple introductions, and reproductive modes contribute to increase the capacity of adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Guopei Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qijie Zan
- Shenzhen Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-juan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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