DNA damage in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) from the Chernobyl region detected by use of the comet assay

• Title: DNA damage in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) from the Chernobyl region detected by use of the comet assay

Author: Bonisoli-Alquati, Andrea / Voris, Andrew / Mousseau, Timothy A. / Møller, Anders Pape / Saino, Nicola / Wyatt, Michael D.

Reference: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 151 (3), p.271-277, Apr 2010

doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2009.11.006

Keywords: Barn swallow; Chernobyl; Comet assay; Genetic damage; Hirundo rustica

Abstract: We investigated levels of DNA damage in blood cells of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) inhabiting the Chernobyl region to evaluate whether chronic exposure to low-level radioactive contamination continues to induce genetic damage in free-living populations of animals. Blood samples were obtained from barn swallows collected at sites with different background levels of radiation, including a relatively uncontaminated area.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532045609002439

Increased oxidative stress in barn swallows from the Chernobyl region

• Title: Increased oxidative stress in barn swallows from the Chernobyl region

Author: Bonisoli-Alquati, Andrea / Mousseau, Timothy A. / Møller, Anders Pape / Caprioli, Manuela / Saino, Nicola

Reference: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 155 (2), p.205-210, Feb 2010

doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.10.041

Keywords: Antioxidant capacity; Barn swallow; Chernobyl; Oxidative stress; Radioactive contamination; Reactive oxygen species

Abstract: The Chernobyl nuclear accident produced the largest unintended release of radionuclides in history, with dramatic consequences for humans and other organisms. Exposure to ionizing radiation is known to reduce circulating and stored levels of specific antioxidants in birds and humans, thus potentially increasing oxidative stress.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1095643309011441

[Radio-ecological and hygienic assessment of consequences of forest fires in the areas polluted during the Chernobyl accident].

• Title: [Radio-ecological and hygienic assessment of consequences of forest fires in the areas polluted during the Chernobyl accident].

Author: Kashparov, V A / Lundin, S M / Kadygrib, A M / Protsak, V P / Levchuk, S E / Ioshchenko, V I / Kashpur, V A / Talerko, N N

Reference: Gigiena i sanitariia, (1), p.30-35, Jan 2001

doi:

Keywords:

Abstract: Retransfer of radionuclides on the condensation trails of Chernobyl radioactive fallouts during forest fires has been experimentally evaluated and their mathematical transfer model verified. It has been shown that radionuclide retransfer will make no great impact on additional pollution of an area even under the most unfavourable conditions. The contribution of convective and non-convective components of transfer to the formation of a radioactive aerosol concentration field has been assessed. Time course of changes in the concentration of radioactive aerosol and its dispersive composition are shown in different phases of fire and at different distance from its source.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11236471?dopt=Abstract

Predicting the radiation exposure of terrestrial wildlife in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: an international comparison of approaches.

• Title: Predicting the radiation exposure of terrestrial wildlife in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: an international comparison of approaches.

Author: Beresford, N A / Barnett, C L / Brown, J E / Cheng, J-J / Copplestone, D / Gaschak, S / Hosseini, A / (…) / Yu, C

Reference: Journal of radiological protection: official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection, 30 (2), p.341-373, Jun 2010

doi: 10.1007/s10512-006-0081-9

Keywords:

Abstract: There is now general acknowledgement that there is a requirement to demonstrate that species other than humans are protected from anthropogenic releases of radioactivity. A number of approaches have been developed for estimating the exposure of wildlife and some of these are being used to conduct regulatory assessments.

URL: http://iopscience.iop.org/0952-4746/30/2/S07/

Aerosol emissions from the destroyed power-generating unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 and 2003–2005

• Title: Aerosol emissions from the destroyed power-generating unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 and 2003–2005

Author: Ogorodnikov, B. I. / Budyka, A. K. / Pazukhin, É. M. / Krasnov, V. A.

Reference: Atomic Energy, 100 (4), p.264-270, Apr 2006

doi: 10.1007/s10512-006-0081-9

Keywords:

Abstract: The results of measurements of the volume activity and dispersity of aerosol carriers of β-emitting radionuclides during the acute phase of the accident and 20 years later are presented.

URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10512-006-0081-9

Microorganisms associated with feathers of barn swallows in radioactively contaminated areas around chernobyl.

• Title: Microorganisms associated with feathers of barn swallows in radioactively contaminated areas around chernobyl.

Author: Czirják, Gábor Arpád / Møller, Anders Pape / Mousseau, Timothy A / Heeb, Philipp

Reference: Microbial ecology, 60 (2), p.373-380, Aug 2010

doi: 10.1007/s00248-010-9716-4

Keywords:

Abstract: The Chernobyl catastrophe provides a rare opportunity to study the ecological and evolutionary consequences of low-level, environmental radiation on living organisms. Despite some recent studies about negative effects of environmental radiation on macroorganisms, there is little knowledge about the effect of radioactive contamination on diversity and abundance of microorganisms. We examined abundance patterns of total cultivable bacteria and fungi and the abundance of feather-degrading bacterial subset present on feathers of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica), a colonial migratory passerine, around Chernobyl in relation to levels of ground level environmental radiation.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20640571?dopt=Abstract

Radiation Ecology

• Title: Radiation Ecology

Author: Brisbin, I.L., Jr. / Dallas, C.E.

Reference: Encyclopedia of Ecology, Jan 2008

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-008045405-4.00632-7

Keywords: Atomic energy; Biomagnification; Chernobyl; Ecotoxicology; Food webs; Nuclear power; Radiation; Radioactive isotopes; Radiocesium; Radioecology

Abstract: The field of radioecology deals with the fate and effects of radioactive contaminants in the environment. It relies upon and contributes to the principles of both radiation biology and basic ecology and is a special case of the more general field of environmental toxicology. Effects studies deal with populations, communities, and ecosystems and have involved the establishment of radiation sources within a variety of natural vegetation communities.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080454054006327

Exopolysaccharide production by nitrogen-fixing bacteria within nodules of Medicago plants exposed to chronic radiation in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

• Title: Exopolysaccharide production by nitrogen-fixing bacteria within nodules of Medicago plants exposed to chronic radiation in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Author: Pawlicki-Jullian, Nathalie / Courtois, Bernard / Pillon, Michelle / Lesur, David / Le Flèche-Mateos, Anne / Laberche, Jean-Claude / Goncharova, Nadia / Courtois, Josiane

Reference: Research in Microbiology, 161 (2), p.101-108, Mar 2010

doi: 10.1016/j.resmic.2009.12.009

Keywords: Chernobyl exclusion zone; Exopolysaccharides; Nitrogen-fixing bacteria; Enterobacteriaceae; Medicago; Diversity

Abstract: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from root nodules of Medicago plants growing in the 10 km zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant were screened for the production of new water-soluble acidic exopolysaccharides (EPSs).

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0923250810000045

Cesium accumulation by fish following acute input to lakes: a comparison of experimental and Chernobyl-impacted systems

Title: Cesium accumulation by fish following acute input to lakes: a comparison of experimental and Chernobyl-impacted systems

Author:Pinder J E 3rd, Hinton T G, Whicker F W, Smith J T

Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 100 (6), p.456-467, Jun 2009

doi:  10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.03.004

Keywords:¹³⁷Cs;¹³³Cs;Fish;Uptake rates;Loss rates;Maximum concentrations;Pond 4;Chernobyl

Abstract: An uptake parameter u (L kg⁻¹ d⁻¹) and a loss rate parameter k (d⁻¹) were estimated for the patterns of accumulation and loss of ¹³³Cs by three fish species following an experimental ¹³³Cs addition into a pond in South Carolina, USA. These u and k parameters were compared to similar estimates for fish from other experimental ponds and from lakes that received ¹³⁷Cs deposition from Chernobyl. The maximum Cs concentrations in fish were largely determined by initial Cs concentrations in the water column. These maximum concentrations in fish and the times required to reach these maxima are potentially useful indicators for assessments of risks to humans from fish consumption.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X09000411

WIT’s World Ecology Report – Vol. 12, No. 3 – Critical Issues in Health and the Environment (WIT, 2000, 16 p.)

• Title: WIT’s World Ecology Report – Vol. 12, No. 3 – Critical Issues in Health and the Environment (WIT, 2000, 16 p.)

URL:http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00—off-0cdl–00-0—-0-10-0—0—0direct-10—4——-0-1l–11-en-50—20-about—00-0-1-00—4—-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=cdl&cl=CL4.194&d=HASH0182a80bbc2c6038c9b825a7.9