A case study in the Chernobyl zone Part 2: Predicting radiation induced effects in biota

In this paper we use the FASSET framework to estimate absorbed dose rates for biota within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The estimated doses are compared to observed biological effects within the Chernobyl exclusion zone and effects expected from summaries of existing knowledge and the extent of contamination. Although paucity of observations under conditions of chronic irradiation makes direct comparison difficult, the biological effects observed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone over the period considered here (1988-2003) are broadly in agreement with those which may have been expected.