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Geras'kin S. Plant adaptation to ionizing radiation: Mechanisms and patterns. Sci Total Environ 2024; 916:170201. [PMID: 38246389 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Adaptation to environmental stressors is an essential property of plants that allows them, despite an immobile lifestyle, to survive in a changeable environment. The chain of successive events culminating in the final radiobiological reaction begins with the absorption of energy of ionizing radiation in the cell. Starting from stochastic acts of molecular injury formation, radiation damage gradually acquires deterministic features, which are expressed in a limited number of phenomena that complete plant radiation damage. As plants undergo specialization, the differences between plants and animals become more pronounced, leading to distinct responses to radiation. Chronic radiation exposure may activate biological mechanisms resulting in increased radioresistance of the population. The higher the level of radiation exposure and the sensitivity of plants to radiation, the more intensive the selection. Depending on the circumstances, enhanced radioresistance of a population can be achieved in different ways or has not evolved at all. High dose rates of chronic irradiation leаd to selection for the efficiency of repair systems, while low dose rates activate epigenetic mechanisms that lead to the maintenance of oxidative balance, additional synthesis of chaperones, and control of TEs transposition. Due to huge differences in the radiosensitivity of organisms that make up the ecosystem, irradiation can result in disruption of connections between components of ecosystems which may lead to consequences that can differ drastically from those expected at the organismal and population levels. Therefore, the use of ecological knowledge is essential for understanding the responses of populations and ecosystems to radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology of NRC "Kurchatov Institute", Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia.
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Geras'kin S, Yoschenko V, Bitarishvili S, Makarenko E, Vasiliev D, Prazyan A, Lychenkova M, Nanba K. Corrigendum to "Multifaceted effects of chronic radiation exposure in Japanese red pines from Fukushima prefecture" [Sci. Total Environ. 763 (2021) 142946]. Sci Total Environ 2024; 913:169736. [PMID: 38199821 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia.
| | - Vasyl Yoschenko
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
| | - Sofia Bitarishvili
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Makarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Denis Vasiliev
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Alexandr Prazyan
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Maria Lychenkova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
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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. Environ Pollut 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Bitarishvili S, Dikarev A, Kazakova E, Bondarenko E, Prazyan A, Makarenko E, Babina D, Podobed M, Geras'kin S. Growth, antioxidant system, and phytohormonal status of barley cultivars contrasting in cadmium tolerance. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:59749-59764. [PMID: 37014597 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium leads to disturbance of plant growth, and the manifestation of toxicity can vary greatly in different genotypes within one species. In this work we studied the effect of Cd on growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, and phytohormonal status of four barley cultivars (cvs. Simfoniya, Mestnyj, Ca 220702, Malva). According to the earlier study on seedlings, these cultivars were contrast in tolerance to Cd: Simfoniya and Mestnyj are Cd-tolerant and Ca 220702 and Malva are Cd-sensitive. The results presented showed that barley plants accumulated more Cd in straw than in grain. Tolerant cultivars accumulated significantly less Cd in grain than sensitive ones. The leaf area appeared to be a growth parameter susceptible to Cd treatment. The significant differences in leaf area values depended on Cd contamination and were not associated with cultivars' tolerance. Tolerance of cultivars was contingent on the activity of the antioxidant defense system. Indeed, activity of enzymes decreased in sensitive cultivars Ca 220702 and Malva under Cd stress. In contrast, in tolerant cultivars, increased activity of guaiacol peroxidase was revealed. The concentrations of abscisic acid and salicylic acid mostly increased as a result of Cd treatment, while the concentrations of auxins and trans-zeatin either decreased or did not change. The results obtained indicate that antioxidant enzymes and phytohormones play an important role in the response of barley plants to elevated concentrations of cadmium; however, these parameters are not able to explain the differentiation of barley cultivars in terms of tolerance to cadmium at the seedling stage. Therefore, barley intraspecific polymorphism for cadmium resistance is determined by the interplay of antioxidant enzymes, phytohormones, and other factors that require further elucidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Bitarishvili
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation.
| | - Alexey Dikarev
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - Elizaveta Kazakova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | | | - Alexandr Prazyan
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | | | - Darya Babina
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
| | - Marina Podobed
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russian Federation
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Fesenko S, Spridonov S, Geras'kin S. Radiation effects in the forest ecosystems: Acute irradiation. J Environ Radioact 2022; 250:106908. [PMID: 35623213 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The paper comprehensively brings together key data on radiation effects observed in the Russian studies with an acute forest irradiation. The experiments were based on the ecosystem approach, including an assessment of the radiation impacts based on a variety of the endpoints. The effects at the cellular level were observed at the lowest doses: a double increase of the chromosome aberrations in the apical meristem of pine were found at the site with the absorbed dose of 2.5 Gy. The effects at the tissues levels and trees mortality expressed in D50 were revealed for the trees received 20-50 Gy and a double reduction in a net primary radioactivity was observed at the doses of 14-38 Gy for pine and 280-750 Gy for birch. The seasonal differences in radiosensitivity of the forest ecosystems were noted: the radiosensitivity of the irradiated trees was 3-5 fold higher after the spring irradiation than that after autumn irradiation. An importance of the ecosystem endpoints is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fesenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249020 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia.
| | - S Spridonov
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249020 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia
| | - S Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, 249020 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia
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Geras'kin S, Minkenova K, Perevolotsky A, Baigazinov Z, Perevolotskaya T. Threshold dose rates for the cytogenetic effects in crested hairgrass populations from the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, Kazakhstan. J Hazard Mater 2021; 416:125817. [PMID: 33865108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An assessment of cytogenetic effects in crested hairgrass (Koeleria gracilis Pers.) populations was carried out within the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (Kazakhstan) where combat radioactive substances were tested in 1953-1957. Current levels of radioactive contamination within this site are varied by orders of magnitude, while soil characteristics and heavy metal pollution are similar. The main contribution to the absorbed by plants doses at this site was caused by incorporated 90Sr. The frequency of cytogenetic alterations in crested hairgrass was investigated in a wide range of doses (10-4-13 Gy/growing season) at 100 sampling points. For the first time in the field conditions the shape of the cytogenetic effects - dose rate relationship was evaluated with acceptable accuracy and found to be nonlinear. The frequency of aberrant cells remained practically unchanged up to 49 µGy/h. Exceeding the threshold dose rate lead to a steep increase in the aberrant cells frequency from less than 2% up to 16%. The main contribution to the cytogenetic effects was made by double bridges and fragments. Breakpoints for other types of cytogenetic alterations were also evaluated (7 µGy/h for single fragments and bridges; 74 for double fragments and bridges; 81 for mitotic abnormalities).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 49020 Obninsk, Russia.
| | - Kyrmyzy Minkenova
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
| | - Alexandr Perevolotsky
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 49020 Obninsk, Russia
| | - Zhanat Baigazinov
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan; Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Hungary
| | - Tatiana Perevolotskaya
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 49020 Obninsk, Russia
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Geras'kin S, Yoschenko V, Bitarishvili S, Makarenko E, Vasiliev D, Prazyan A, Lychenkova M, Nanba K. Multifaceted effects of chronic radiation exposure in Japanese red pines from Fukushima prefecture. Sci Total Environ 2021; 763:142946. [PMID: 33498123 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite many studies carried out to date, the long-term effects of chronic exposure on plants and animals inhabiting the territories affected by the Fukushima Dai-Ichi NPP accident remain the subject of scientific discussions. Our investigations were performed on Japanese red pine, the native tree species that is widely spread in the radioactive contaminated areas. Earlier observations revealed the radiation-induced cancellation of the apical dominance in young trees of this species. To understand the mechanism of such transformation, we evaluated the morphometric parameters of needles, the frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities, and the concentrations of the major classes of phytohormones in several natural populations of young red pine trees growing under different exposure conditions in Fukushima prefecture. No significant relationships between the morphometric parameters of needles and dose rates at the experimental sites were revealed. The frequencies of aberrant cells in the needle's intercalary meristem and the frequencies of cancellation of the apical dominance in the young pine populations in the radioactive contaminated areas were significantly higher than in the reference population. However, only cytogenetic abnormalities increased with the dose rate. We have not found the relation between the frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities in needles and cancellation of the apical dominance in the individual trees. In this paper, for the first time, it is shown that chronic radiation exposure changes the concentration ratio of the major classes of phytohormones in the needles of Japanese red pine. Given the complete lack of information about the most important regulatory system of plants in chronically irradiated populations, this study fills a substantial gap in our knowledge. Finally, our findings indicated that the most probable causes of the cancellation of apical dominance observed in chronically exposed Japanese red pines are radiation damage to the apical meristems of the trees and changes in their phytohormonal balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia.
| | - Vasyl Yoschenko
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
| | - Sofia Bitarishvili
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Makarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Denis Vasiliev
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Alexandr Prazyan
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Maria Lychenkova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249032, Russia
| | - Kenji Nanba
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity of Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
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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. Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Mothersill C, Abend M, Bréchignac F, Copplestone D, Geras'kin S, Goodman J, Horemans N, Jeggo P, McBride W, Mousseau TA, O'Hare A, Papineni RVL, Powathil G, Schofield PN, Seymour C, Sutcliffe J, Austin B. The tubercular badger and the uncertain curve:- The need for a multiple stressor approach in environmental radiation protection. Environ Res 2019; 168:130-140. [PMID: 30296640 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the results of a workshop held in Stirling, Scotland in June 2018, called to examine critically the effects of low-dose ionising radiation on the ecosphere. The meeting brought together participants from the fields of low- and high-dose radiobiology and those working in radioecology to discuss the effects that low doses of radiation have on non-human biota. In particular, the shape of the low-dose response relationship and the extent to which the effects of low-dose and chronic exposure may be predicted from high dose rate exposures were discussed. It was concluded that high dose effects were not predictive of low dose effects. It followed that the tools presently available were deemed insufficient to reliably predict risk of low dose exposures in ecosystems. The workshop participants agreed on three major recommendations for a path forward. First, as treating radiation as a single or unique stressor was considered insufficient, the development of a multidisciplinary approach is suggested to address key concerns about multiple stressors in the ecosphere. Second, agreed definitions are needed to deal with the multiplicity of factors determining outcome to low dose exposures as a term can have different meanings in different disciplines. Third, appropriate tools need to be developed to deal with the different time, space and organisation level scales. These recommendations permit a more accurate picture of prospective risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmel Mothersill
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
| | - Francois Bréchignac
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) & International Union of Radioecology, Centre du Cadarache, Bldg 229, St Paul-lez-Durance, France.
| | - David Copplestone
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology & Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109km, Obninsk 249020, Russia.
| | - Jessica Goodman
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - Penny Jeggo
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - William McBride
- University of California Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Timothy A Mousseau
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Anthony O'Hare
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Rao V L Papineni
- Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center - KUMC (Adjunct), and PACT & Health, Branford, CT, USA.
| | - Gibin Powathil
- Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Paul N Schofield
- Dept of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Colin Seymour
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1.
| | - Jill Sutcliffe
- Low Level Radiation and Health Conference, Ingrams Farm Fittleworth Road, Wisborough Green RH14 0JA, West Sussex, UK.
| | - Brian Austin
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
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Geras'kin S, Oudalova A, Kuzmenkov A, Vasiliyev D. Chronic radiation exposure modifies temporal dynamics of cytogenetic but not reproductive indicators in Scots pine populations. Environ Pollut 2018; 239:399-407. [PMID: 29679937 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Over a period of 13 years (2003-2015), reproductive and cytogenetic effects are investigated in Scots pine populations growing in the Bryansk region of Russia radioactively contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl accident. In reference populations, the frequencies of cytogenetic abnormalities are shown to change with time in a cyclic manner. In chronically exposed populations, the cyclic patterns in temporal dynamics of cytogenetic abnormalities appear to be disturbed. In addition, a tendency to decrease in the frequencies of cytogenetic abnormalities with time as well as an increase in their variability with dose rate is revealed. In contrast, no significant impact of chronic radiation exposure on the time dynamics of reproductive indexes is detected. Finally, long-term observations on chronically exposed Scots pine populations revealed qualitative differences in the temporal dynamics of reproductive and cytogenetic indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia.
| | - Alla Oudalova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia; Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Alexey Kuzmenkov
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Denis Vasiliyev
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia
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Geras'kin S, Vasiliyev D, Makarenko E, Volkova P, Kuzmenkov A. Influence of long-term chronic exposure and weather conditions on Scots pine populations. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017; 24:11240-11253. [PMID: 28299565 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8692-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Over a period of 8 years (2007-2014), we were evaluating seed quality and morphological abnormalities in Scots pine trees affected as a result of the Chernobyl accident. The calculated dose rates for the trees at the study sites varied from background values at the reference sites to 40 mGy/year at the most contaminated site. We investigated whether radioactive contamination and/or weather factors could decrease the reproductive capacity or increase the frequency of morphological abnormalities of needles in pine trees. Scots pine seeds are characterized by high interannual variability of viability, which is largely determined by weather conditions. No consistent differences in reproductive capacity were detected between the impacted and reference populations. Brachyblasts with three needles were found only in the affected populations; however, their frequency was very low and only at the very border of significance at the p < 0.10 level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia.
| | - Denis Vasiliyev
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Makarenko
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Polina Volkova
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Alexey Kuzmenkov
- Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020, Obninsk, Russia
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Bréchignac F, Oughton D, Mays C, Barnthouse L, Beasley JC, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Bradshaw C, Brown J, Dray S, Geras'kin S, Glenn T, Higley K, Ishida K, Kapustka L, Kautsky U, Kuhne W, Lynch M, Mappes T, Mihok S, Møller AP, Mothersill C, Mousseau TA, Otaki JM, Pryakhin E, Rhodes OE, Salbu B, Strand P, Tsukada H. Addressing ecological effects of radiation on populations and ecosystems to improve protection of the environment against radiation: Agreed statements from a Consensus Symposium. J Environ Radioact 2016; 158-159:21-9. [PMID: 27058410 PMCID: PMC4976067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports the output of a consensus symposium organized by the International Union of Radioecology in November 2015. The symposium gathered an academically diverse group of 30 scientists to consider the still debated ecological impact of radiation on populations and ecosystems. Stimulated by the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters' accidental contamination of the environment, there is increasing interest in developing environmental radiation protection frameworks. Scientific research conducted in a variety of laboratory and field settings has improved our knowledge of the effects of ionizing radiation on the environment. However, the results from such studies sometimes appear contradictory and there is disagreement about the implications for risk assessment. The Symposium discussions therefore focused on issues that might lead to different interpretations of the results, such as laboratory versus field approaches, organism versus population and ecosystemic inference strategies, dose estimation approaches and their significance under chronic exposure conditions. The participating scientists, from across the spectrum of disciplines and research areas, extending also beyond the traditional radioecology community, successfully developed a constructive spirit directed at understanding discrepancies. From the discussions, the group has derived seven consensus statements related to environmental protection against radiation, which are supplemented with some recommendations. Each of these statements is contextualized and discussed in view of contributing to the orientation and integration of future research, the results of which should yield better consensus on the ecological impact of radiation and consolidate suitable approaches for efficient radiological protection of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Bréchignac
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), Centre of Cadarache, BP 3, 13115 St Paul-lez-Durance, Cedex, France; International Union of Radioecology (IUR), Center of Cadarache, BP 3, 13115 St Paul-lez-Durance, Cedex, France.
| | - Deborah Oughton
- Center for Environmental Radioactivity (CERAD), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway.
| | - Claire Mays
- Institut Symlog de France, 262 rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Lawrence Barnthouse
- LWB Environmental Services, Inc., 1620 New London Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013, USA.
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory & Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA.
| | - Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - Clare Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Justin Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Østerås, Norway.
| | - Stéphane Dray
- Université de Lyon, F-69000, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 1, France; CNRS, UMR5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France.
| | | | - Travis Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Kathy Higley
- School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| | - Ken Ishida
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
| | - Lawrence Kapustka
- LK Consultancy, P.O. Box 373, Turner Valley, Alberta T0L 2A0, Canada.
| | - Ulrik Kautsky
- Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co., (SKB), P.O. Box 250, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Wendy Kuhne
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC, USA.
| | - Michael Lynch
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, 1001 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Tapio Mappes
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, 40014 Jyvaskyla, Finland.
| | - Steve Mihok
- 388 Church Street, Russell, Ontario K4R 1A8, Canada.
| | - Anders P Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91405 Orsay, Cedex, France.
| | - Carmel Mothersill
- Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Timothy A Mousseau
- Department of Biological Sciences, and, the School of Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
| | - Joji M Otaki
- The BCPH Unit of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan.
| | - Evgeny Pryakhin
- Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Vorovsky Str. 68a, 454076 Chelyabinsk, Russia.
| | - Olin E Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA.
| | - Brit Salbu
- Center for Environmental Radioactivity (CERAD), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway.
| | - Per Strand
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Universitetstunet 3, 1430 Ås, Norway.
| | - Hirofumi Tsukada
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, 1 Kanayagawa, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan.
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Bradshaw C, Kapustka L, Barnthouse L, Brown J, Ciffroy P, Forbes V, Geras'kin S, Kautsky U, Bréchignac F. Using an Ecosystem Approach to complement protection schemes based on organism-level endpoints. J Environ Radioact 2014; 136:98-104. [PMID: 24929504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Radiation protection goals for ecological resources are focussed on ecological structures and functions at population-, community-, and ecosystem-levels. The current approach to radiation safety for non-human biota relies on organism-level endpoints, and as such is not aligned with the stated overarching protection goals of international agencies. Exposure to stressors can trigger non-linear changes in ecosystem structure and function that cannot be predicted from effects on individual organisms. From the ecological sciences, we know that important interactive dynamics related to such emergent properties determine the flows of goods and services in ecological systems that human societies rely upon. A previous Task Group of the IUR (International Union of Radioecology) has presented the rationale for adding an Ecosystem Approach to the suite of tools available to manage radiation safety. In this paper, we summarize the arguments for an Ecosystem Approach and identify next steps and challenges ahead pertaining to developing and implementing a practical Ecosystem Approach to complement organism-level endpoints currently used in radiation safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lawrence Kapustka
- LK Consultancy, P.O. Box 373, Turner Valley, Alberta T0L 2A0, Canada.
| | | | - Justin Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini næringspark 13, P.O. Box 55, NO-1332 Østerås, Norway.
| | - Philippe Ciffroy
- Electricité de France (EDF), Hydraulics and Environment National Laboratory, 6 quai Watier, 78400 Chatou, France.
| | - Valery Forbes
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 348 Manter Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
| | - Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, Obninsk 249020, Russian Federation.
| | - Ulrik Kautsky
- SKB, Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co, P.O. Box 250, 10124 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - François Bréchignac
- IRSN, Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety, Direction générale, Centre of Cadarache, Bldg 229, BP 1, 13115 St Paul-lez-Durance, France.
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Garnier-Laplace J, Geras'kin S, Della-Vedova C, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Hinton TG, Real A, Oudalova A. Are radiosensitivity data derived from natural field conditions consistent with data from controlled exposures? A case study of Chernobyl wildlife chronically exposed to low dose rates. J Environ Radioact 2013; 121:12-21. [PMID: 22336569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Revised: 01/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The discrepancy between laboratory or controlled conditions ecotoxicity tests and field data on wildlife chronically exposed to ionising radiation is presented for the first time. We reviewed the available chronic radiotoxicity data acquired in contaminated fields and used a statistical methodology to support the comparison with knowledge on inter-species variation of sensitivity to controlled external γ irradiation. We focus on the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and effects data on terrestrial wildlife reported in the literature corresponding to chronic dose rate exposure situations (from background ~100 nGy/h up to ~10 mGy/h). When needed, we reconstructed the dose rate to organisms and obtained consistent unbiased data sets necessary to establish the dose rate-effect relationship for a number of different species and endpoints. Then, we compared the range of variation of radiosensitivity of species from the Chernobyl-Exclusion Zone with the statistical distribution established for terrestrial species chronically exposed to purely gamma external irradiation (or chronic Species radioSensitivity Distribution - SSD). We found that the best estimate of the median value (HDR50) of the distribution established for field conditions at Chernobyl (about 100 μGy/h) was eight times lower than the one from controlled experiments (about 850 μGy/h), suggesting that organisms in their natural environmental were more sensitive to radiation. This first comparison highlights the lack of mechanistic understanding and the potential confusion coming from sampling strategies in the field. To confirm the apparent higher sensitive of wildlife in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, we call for more a robust strategy in field, with adequate design to deal with confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Garnier-Laplace
- Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/DEI/SECRE, Cadarache, Building 159, 13115 Saint Paul lez Durance Cedex, France.
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Geras'kin S, Evseeva T, Oudalova A. Effects of long-term chronic exposure to radionuclides in plant populations. J Environ Radioact 2013; 121:22-32. [PMID: 22483340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 03/04/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The results of field studies carried out on different plant species (winter rye and wheat, spring barley, oats, Scots pine, wild vetch, crested hairgrass) in various radioecological situations (nuclear weapon testing, the Chernobyl accident, uranium and radium processing) to investigate the effects of long-term chronic exposure to radionuclides are discussed. Plant populations growing in areas with relatively low levels of pollution are characterized by an increased level of both cytogenetic disturbances and genetic diversity. Although ionizing radiation causes primary damage at the molecular level, there are emergent effects at the level of populations, non-predictable from the knowledge of elementary mechanisms of cellular effects formation. Accumulation of cellular alterations may afterward influence biological parameters important for populations such as health and reproduction. Presented data provide evidence that in plant populations inhabiting heavily contaminated territories cytogenetic damage could be accompanied by a decrease in reproductive capacity. However, in less contaminated sites, because of the scarcity of data available, a steady relationship between cytogenetic effects and reproductive capacity was not revealed. Under radioactive contamination of the plant's environment, a population's resistance to exposure may increase. However, there are radioecological situations where an enhanced radioresistance has not evolved or has not persisted.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249020 Obninsk, Russia.
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Evseeva T, Belykh E, Geras'kin S, Majstrenko T. Estimation of radioactive contamination of soils from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" technical areas of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. J Environ Radioact 2012; 109:52-59. [PMID: 22285594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Revised: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In spite of the long history of the research, radioactive contamination of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (SNTS) in the Republic of Kazakhstan has not been adequately characterized. Our cartographic investigation has demonstrated highly variable radioactive contamination of the SNTS. The Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154, Co-60, and Am-241 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Balapan" site were 42.6-17646, 96-18250, 1.05-11222, 0.6-4865, 0.23-4893, and 1.2-1037 Bq kg(-1), correspondingly. Cs-137 and Sr-90 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Experimental field" site were varied from 87 up to 400 and from 94 up to 1000 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Activity concentrations of Co-60, Eu-152, and Eu-154 were lower than the minimum detectable activity of the method used. Concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226, U-238, and Th-232) in the majority of soil samples from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites did not exceed typical for surrounding of the SNTS areas levels. Estimation of risks associated with radioactive contamination based on the IAEA clearance levels for a number of key radionuclides in solid materials shows that soils sampled from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites might be considered as radioactive wastes. Decrease in specific activity of soil from the sites studied up to safety levels due to Co-60, Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154 radioactive decay and Am-241 accumulation-decay will occur not earlier than 100 years. In contrast, soils from the "Experimental field" and the "Balapan" sites (except 0.5-2.5 km distance from the "Chagan" explosion point) cannot be regarded as the radioactive wastes according safety norms valid in Russia and Kazakhstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Evseeva
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia.
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Geras'kin S, Oudalova A, Dikareva N, Spiridonov S, Hinton T, Chernonog E, Garnier-Laplace J. Effects of radioactive contamination on Scots pines in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident. Ecotoxicology 2011; 20:1195-208. [PMID: 21451948 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-011-0664-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
A 6 year study of Scots pine populations inhabiting sites in the Bryansk region of Russia radioactively contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl accident is presented. In six study sites, (137)Cs activity concentrations and heavy metal content in soils, as well as (137)Cs, (90)Sr and heavy metal concentrations in cones were measured. Doses absorbed in reproduction organs of pine trees were calculated using a dosimetric model. The maximum annual dose absorbed at the most contaminated site was about 130 mGy. Occurrence of aberrant cells scored in the root meristem of germinated seeds collected from pine trees growing on radioactively contaminated territories for over 20 years significantly exceeded the reference levels during all 6 years of the study. The data suggest that cytogenetic effects occur in Scots pine populations due to the radioactive contamination. However, no consistent differences in reproductive ability were detected between the impacted and reference populations as measured by the frequency of abortive seeds. Even though the Scots pine populations have occupied radioactively contaminated territories for two decades, there were no clear indications of adaptation to the radiation, when measured by the number of aberrant cells in root meristems of seeds exposed to an additional acute dose of radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology, Kievskoe shosse, 109 km, 249032, Obninsk, Russia.
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Geras'kin S, Oudalova A, Michalik B, Dikareva N, Dikarev V. Geno-toxicity assay of sediment and water samples from the Upper Silesia post-mining areas, Poland by means of Allium-test. Chemosphere 2011; 83:1133-1146. [PMID: 21272917 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Genotoxic potential of two environmental compartments (water and sediment) from the Upper Silesia Coal Basin (USCB), Poland were evaluated and compared by employing root meristem cells of Allium cepa. The clear genotoxic effect of water and sediment sampled was shown, with an important contribution of severe types of cytogenetic abnormalities. The most biologically relevant pollutants were revealed through multivariate statistical analysis of relationships between biological effects registered and the environment contamination. Overall, results of simultaneous use of conventional monitoring methods and biological tests suggested that contemporary levels of persistent pollutants in post-mining areas of the USCB may enhance the risk both for human health and biological components of natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Geras'kin
- Russian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and Agroecology RAAS, 249020 Obninsk, Kaluga Region, Russia.
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Evseeva T, Geras'kin S, Majstrenko T, Brown J, Belykh E. Comparative estimation of 232Th and stable Ce (III) toxicity and detoxification pathways in freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris. Chemosphere 2010; 81:1320-1327. [PMID: 20817218 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/13/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The impacts of radiological and chemical toxicity from naturally occurring radionuclides are discussed in the context of protecting freshwater ecosystems from radiation exposure. The present study aimed to determine the toxicity of (232)Th and it stable chemical analogue Ce to the green alga Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck (thermophilic strain). Parameters of the regression equation for the concentration-effect relationship and concomitant Effective concentration (50%), EC(50), showed that (232)Th was more toxic to chlorella after a 24-h exposure than Ce. However, the No-observable-effect concentration (NOEC) and Lowest-observable-effect concentration (LOEC) for (232)Th were approximately equal to those for Ce. NOEC, LOEC and EC(50) for (232)Th were 1.6 μM, 2.2 μM and 15.4 respectively. Those for Ce were 1.8, 2.1 and 35.7 μM respectively. Consideration of the results obtained suggests differences in the main detoxification pathways of (232)Th and Ce (III). It was found that 0.02 mM caffeine (used as DNA metabolism disturbance reagent) has no effect on Ce toxic action, but 0.02 mM BSO (as a selective inhibitor of γ-ECS, a glutathione biosynthetic pathway enzyme) enhanced it. In contrast, 0.02 mM caffeine significantly increased the toxic action of (232)Th, but 0.02 mM BSO has no effect on it. The peculiarities mentioned were suggested to be caused by differences in the physicochemical properties of the elements. The combined potential detrimental effect of (232)Th acting both as a radiation source (α-, β- and γ-emitter) and a chemically toxic element is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Evseeva
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia.
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Evseeva T, Majstrenko T, Geras'kin S, Brown JE, Belykh E. Estimation of ionizing radiation impact on natural Vicia cracca populations inhabiting areas contaminated with uranium mill tailings and radium production wastes. Sci Total Environ 2009; 407:5335-43. [PMID: 19640568 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2009] [Revised: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 06/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Industrial areas in proximity to the Vodny settlement in the Komi Republic, Russia, have been contaminated by uranium mill tailings and radium production wastes. These areas, exhibiting high activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in soils, constitute a field laboratory where the effects of combined chronic exposures to alpha-, beta- and gamma-emitting radionuclides on natural plant populations can be studied. The aim of the present work was to determine dose-effect relationships and the range of doses that cause biological effects in natural Vicia cracca L. populations inhabiting the study area. The studied plant species is native to the area and is found ubiquitously. Soil and vegetation samples were taken at a reference location and six contaminated sites characterized by distinct floodplain depositional units with different enhanced levels of naturally occurring radionuclides. A large fraction of the dose at the study sites (including the reference location) was attributable to internal irradiation and (226)Ra was found to be an important contributor to this component of dose. The relationship between the frequency of chromosome aberrations in seedlings' root tip cells and the absorbed dose was found to be quadratic. An exponential model provided the best result in describing the empirical dependence between the absorbed dose and both the germination capacity of seeds and the survival rate of sprouts of V. cracca. For V. cracca plants inhabiting areas contaminated with uranium mill tailings and radium production wastes, a weighted absorbed dose of 0.2 Gy (weighting factor for alpha particles=5) during the vegetation period could be considered to be a level below which no increase in genetic variability and decrease in reproductive capacity might be observed above background.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Evseeva
- Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Division RAS, Kommunisticheskaya 28, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
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