The use of the aquatic plant Elodea canadensis to assess the effects of low-dose gamma irradiation

Abstract

Responses of cytogenetic and growth endpoints of the aquatic plant Elodea canadensis were studied using the plants collected from non-contaminated control areas of the Yenisei River and exposed to external γ-radiation for 11–13 days in the laboratory. Elodea canadensis was exposed to 0.5–25 mGy/day γ-radiation dose rates from a 137Cs source. The total number of aberrant cells and total root length were more sensitive elodea endpoints to γ-radiation than total shoot length and mitotic index of elodea. Radiation sensitivity of elodea can be compared with the sensitivity of such a Reference Plant as Wild Grass (1–10 mGy/day) recommended by the ICRP. Thus, the aquatic plant Elodea canadensis can be used as a radiation bioindicator.