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Hinton TG, Anderson D, Bæk E, Baranwal VC, Beasley JC, Bontrager HL, Broggio D, Brown J, Byrne ME, Gerke HC, Ishiniwa H, Lance SL, Lind OC, Love CN, Nagata H, Nanba K, Okuda K, Salbu B, Shamovich D, Skuterud L, Trompier F, Webster SC, Zabrotski V. Fundamentals of wildlife dosimetry and lessons learned from a decade of measuring external dose rates in the field. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2024; 278:107472. [PMID: 38905881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2024.107472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Methods for determining the radiation dose received by exposed biota require major improvements to reduce uncertainties and increase precision. We share our experiences in attempting to quantify external dose rates to free-ranging wildlife using GPS-coupled dosimetry methods. The manuscript is a primer on fundamental concepts in wildlife dosimetry in which the complexities of quantifying dose rates are highlighted, and lessons learned are presented based on research with wild boar and snakes at Fukushima, wolves at Chornobyl, and reindeer in Norway. GPS-coupled dosimeters produced empirical data to which numerical simulations of external dose using computer software were compared. Our data did not support a standing paradigm in risk analyses: Using averaged soil contaminant levels to model external dose rates conservatively overestimate the dose to individuals within a population. Following this paradigm will likely lead to misguided recommendations for risk management. The GPS-dosimetry data also demonstrated the critical importance of how modeled external dose rates are impacted by the scale at which contaminants are mapped. When contaminant mapping scales are coarse even detailed knowledge about each animal's home range was inadequate to accurately predict external dose rates. Importantly, modeled external dose rates based on a single measurement at a trap site did not correlate to actual dose rates measured on free ranging animals. These findings provide empirical data to support published concerns about inadequate dosimetry in much of the published Chernobyl and Fukushima dose-effects research. Our data indicate that a huge portion of that literature should be challenged, and that improper dosimetry remains a significant source of controversy in radiation dose-effect research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Hinton
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan; CERAD CoE, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Donovan Anderson
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Aomori, Japan.
| | - Edda Bæk
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Østerås, Norway.
| | | | - James C Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - Helen L Bontrager
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - David Broggio
- Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Justin Brown
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Østerås, Norway.
| | - Michael E Byrne
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Hannah C Gerke
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - Hiroko Ishiniwa
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Stacey L Lance
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - Ole C Lind
- CERAD CoE, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Cara N Love
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - Hiroko Nagata
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Kei Okuda
- Faculty of Human Environmental Sciences, Hiroshima Shudo University, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Brit Salbu
- CERAD CoE, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | | | | | - François Trompier
- Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Sarah C Webster
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - Viachaslau Zabrotski
- Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Control of Radioactive Contamination and Environmental Monitoring (Belhydromet), Minsk, Belarus.
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2
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Jackson JA, Antwis RE, Beresford NA, Wood MD. Some observations on meaningful and objective inference in radioecological field studies. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:1546-1553. [PMID: 35694769 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic releases of radiation are of ongoing importance for environmental protection, but the radiation doses at which natural systems begin to show effects are controversial. More certainty is required in this area to achieve optimal regulation for radioactive substances. We recently carried out a large survey (268 sampled animals and 20 sites) of the association between environmental radiation exposures and small mammal gut-associated microbiomes (fungal and bacterial) in the Chornobyl Exclusion zone (CEZ). Using individual measurements of total absorbed dose rates and a study design and analyses that accounted for spatial non-independence, we found no, or only limited, association. Watts et al. have criticised our study: for not filtering candidate non-resident components prior to our fungal microbiome analyses, for our qualified speculations on the relative merits of faecal and gut samples, and for the design of our study which they felt lacked sufficient replication. The advantage of filtering non-resident-fungal taxa is not clear and it would not have changed the null (spatially adjusted) association we found between radioactive dose and mycobiome composition because the most discriminatory fungal taxa with regard to dose were non-resident taxa. We maintain that it was legitimate for us to make qualified discussion comments on the differences in results between our faecal and gut microbiome analyses and on the relative merits of these sample types. Most importantly, the criticism of our study design by Watts et al. and the designs and analysis of their recent studies in the CEZ show a misunderstanding of the true nature of independent replication in field studies. Recognising the importance of spatial non-independence is essential in the design and analysis of radioecological field surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Jackson
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Rachael E Antwis
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | | | - Michael D Wood
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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Beresford NA, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Barnett CL, Brown J, Doering C, Caffrey E, Johansen MP, Melintescu A, Ruedig E, Vandenhove H, Vives I Batlle J, Wood MD, Yankovich TL, Copplestone D. Ensuring robust radiological risk assessment for wildlife: insights from the International Atomic Energy Agency EMRAS and MODARIA programmes. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2022; 42:020512. [PMID: 35502472 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ac6043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In response to changing international recommendations and national requirements, a number of assessment approaches, and associated tools and models, have been developed over the last circa 20 years to assess radiological risk to wildlife. In this paper, we summarise international intercomparison exercises and scenario applications of available radiological assessment models for wildlife to aid future model users and those such as regulators who interpret assessments. Through our studies, we have assessed the fitness for purpose of various models and tools, identified the major sources of uncertainty and made recommendations on how the models and tools can best be applied to suit the purposes of an assessment. We conclude that the commonly used tiered or graded assessment tools are generally fit for purpose for conducting screening-level assessments of radiological impacts to wildlife. Radiological protection of the environment (or wildlife) is still a relatively new development within the overall system of radiation protection and environmental assessment approaches are continuing to develop. Given that some new/developing approaches differ considerably from the more established models/tools and there is an increasing international interest in developing approaches that support the effective regulation of multiple stressors (including radiation), we recommend the continuation of coordinated international programmes for model development, intercomparison and scenario testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Beresford
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, United Kingdom
| | - K Beaugelin-Seiller
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE/ENV/SRTE, Centre de Cadarache, Saint-Pual-Les-Durance, BP3 13115, France
| | - C L Barnett
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - J Brown
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), PO Box 55, No-1332 Østerås, Norway
| | - C Doering
- Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - E Caffrey
- Radian Scientific, LLC, Huntsville, AL, United States of America
| | - M P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia
| | - A Melintescu
- 'Horia Hulubei' National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului St., POB MG-6, Magurele, Bucharest, RO-077125, Romania
| | - E Ruedig
- BHP, 201 CW Santa Fe Av., Grants, NM 87404, United States of America
| | - H Vandenhove
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - M D Wood
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, M5 4WT, United Kingdom
| | - T L Yankovich
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Assessment and Management of Environmental Releases Unit, PO Box 100, Vienna, 1400, Austria
| | - D Copplestone
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
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Beresford NA, Wood MD, Gashchak S, Barnett CL. Current ionising radiation doses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone do not directly impact on soil biological activity. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263600. [PMID: 35196340 PMCID: PMC8865656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although soil organisms are essential for ecosystem function, the impacts of radiation on soil biological activity at highly contaminated sites has been relatively poorly studied. In April-May 2016, we conducted the first largescale deployment of bait lamina to estimate soil organism (largely soil invertebrate) feeding activity in situ at study plots in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). Across our 53 study plots, estimated weighted absorbed dose rates to soil organisms ranged from 0.7 μGy h-1 to 1753 μGy h-1. There was no significant relationship between soil organism feeding activity and estimated weighted absorbed dose rate. Soil biological activity did show significant relationships with soil moisture content, bulk density (used as a proxy for soil organic matter) and pH. At plots in the Red Forest (an area of coniferous plantation where trees died because of high radiation exposure in 1986) soil biological activity was low compared to plots elsewhere in the CEZ. It is possible that the lower biological activity observed in the Red Forest is a residual consequence of what was in effect an acute high exposure to radiation in 1986.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A. Beresford
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael D. Wood
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sergey Gashchak
- International Radioecology Laboratory, Chornobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste & Radioecology, Slavutych, Kyiv Region, Ukraine
| | - Catherine L. Barnett
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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Antwis RE, Beresford NA, Jackson JA, Fawkes R, Barnett CL, Potter E, Walker L, Gaschak S, Wood MD. Impacts of radiation exposure on the bacterial and fungal microbiome of small mammals in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2172-2187. [PMID: 33901301 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Environmental impacts of the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident are much debated, but the effects of radiation on host microbiomes have received little attention to date. We present the first analysis of small mammal gut microbiomes from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in relation to total absorbed dose rate, including both caecum and faeces samples. We provide novel evidence that host species determines fungal community composition, and that associations between microbiome (both bacterial and fungal) communities and radiation exposure vary between host species. Using ambient versus total weighted absorbed dose rates in analyses produced different results, with the latter more robust for interpreting microbiome changes at the individual level. We found considerable variation between results for faecal and gut samples of bank voles, suggesting faecal samples are not an accurate indicator of gut composition. Associations between radiation exposure and microbiome composition of gut samples were not robust against geographical variation, although we identified families of bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae) and fungi (Steccherinaceae and Strophariaceae) in the guts of bank voles that may serve as biomarkers of radiation exposure. Further studies considering a range of small mammal species are needed to establish the robustness of these potential biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Antwis
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Nicholas A Beresford
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK.,UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Joseph A Jackson
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Ross Fawkes
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Catherine L Barnett
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Elaine Potter
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Lee Walker
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, UK
| | - Sergey Gaschak
- Chornobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology, International Radioecology Laboratory, Slavutych, Ukraine
| | - Michael D Wood
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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Matarèse BFE, Lad J, Seymour C, Schofield PN, Mothersill C. Bio-acoustic signaling; exploring the potential of sound as a mediator of low-dose radiation and stress responses in the environment. Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 98:1083-1097. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1834162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno F. E. Matarèse
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jigar Lad
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Colin Seymour
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Paul N. Schofield
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Beaugelin-Seiller K, Garnier-Laplace J, Della-Vedova C, Métivier JM, Lepage H, Mousseau TA, Møller AP. Dose reconstruction supports the interpretation of decreased abundance of mammals in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14083. [PMID: 32826946 PMCID: PMC7442794 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70699-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We re-analyzed field data concerning potential effects of ionizing radiation on the abundance of mammals collected in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) to interpret these findings from current knowledge of radiological dose–response relationships, here mammal response in terms of abundance. In line with recent work at Fukushima, and exploiting a census conducted in February 2009 in the CEZ, we reconstructed the radiological dose for 12 species of mammals observed at 161 sites. We used this new information rather than the measured ambient dose rate (from 0.0146 to 225 µGy h−1) to statistically analyze the variation in abundance for all observed species as established from tracks in the snow in previous field studies. All available knowledge related to relevant confounding factors was considered in this re-analysis. This more realistic approach led us to establish a correlation between changes in mammal abundance with both the time elapsed since the last snowfall and the dose rate to which they were exposed. This relationship was also observed when distinguishing prey from predators. The dose rates resulting from our re-analysis are in agreement with exposure levels reported in the literature as likely to induce physiological disorders in mammals that could explain the decrease in their abundance in the CEZ. Our results contribute to informing the Weight of Evidence approach to demonstrate effects on wildlife resulting from its field exposure to ionizing radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Beaugelin-Seiller
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Pôle Santé Environnement, PSE-ENV/SRTE, Cadarache, Bâtiment 183, BP3, 13115, Saint Paul lez Durance Cedex, France.
| | - Jacqueline Garnier-Laplace
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Pôle Santé Environnement, PSE-ENV, Bâtiment 28, BP 17, 92262, Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - Claire Della-Vedova
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Pôle Santé Environnement, PSE-ENV/SRTE, Cadarache, Bâtiment 183, BP3, 13115, Saint Paul lez Durance Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Michel Métivier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Pôle Santé Environnement, PSE-ENV/SEREN, Cadarache, Bâtiment 153, BP3, 13115, Saint Paul lez Durance Cedex, France
| | - Hugo Lepage
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Pôle Santé Environnement, PSE-ENV/SRTE, Cadarache, Bâtiment 183, BP3, 13115, Saint Paul lez Durance Cedex, France
| | - Timothy A Mousseau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Bâtiment 362, 91405, Orsay Cedex, France
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Mothersill CE, Oughton DH, Schofield PN, Abend M, Adam-Guillermin C, Ariyoshi K, Beresford NA, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Cohen J, Dubrova Y, Geras’kin SA, Hevrøy TH, Higley KA, Horemans N, Jha AN, Kapustka LA, Kiang JG, Madas BG, Powathil G, Sarapultseva EI, Seymour CB, Vo NTK, Wood MD. From tangled banks to toxic bunnies; a reflection on the issues involved in developing an ecosystem approach for environmental radiation protection. Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 98:1185-1200. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1793022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul N. Schofield
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Kentaro Ariyoshi
- Integrated Center for Science and Humanities, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, Japan
| | | | | | - Jason Cohen
- Department of Biology and Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Yuri Dubrova
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | | | - Kathryn A. Higley
- School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Awadhesh N. Jha
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Juliann G. Kiang
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Balázs G. Madas
- Environmental Physics Department, Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gibin Powathil
- Department of Mathematics, Computational Foundry, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | | | | | - Nguyen T. K. Vo
- Department of Biology and Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Michael D. Wood
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
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