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9. Chernobyl's radioactive impact on flora.

Authors :
Yablokov AV
Source :
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences [Ann N Y Acad Sci] 2009 Nov; Vol. 1181, pp. 237-54.
Publication Year :
2009

Abstract

Plants and mushrooms accumulate the Chernobyl radionuclides at a level that depends upon the soil, the climate, the particular biosphere, the season, spotty radioactive contamination, and the particular species and populations (subspecies, cultivars), etc. Each radionuclide has its own accumulation characteristics (e. g., levels of accumulation for Sr-90 are much higher than for Cs-137, and a thousand times less than that for Ce-144). Coefficients of accumulation and transition ratios vary so much in time and space that it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the actual levels of Cs-137, Sr-90, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, and Am-241 at each place and time and for each individual plant or fungus. Chernobyl irradiation has caused structural anomalies and tumorlike changes in many plant species. Unique pathologic complexes are seen in the Chernobyl zone, such as a high percentage of anomalous pollen grains and spores. Chernobyl's irradiation has led to genetic disorders, sometimes continuing for many years, and it appears that it has awakened genes that have been silent over a long evolutionary time.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1749-6632
Volume :
1181
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20002051
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04832.x