Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Research Articles

Genetic, epigenetic and microbiome characterisation of an earthworm species (Octolasion lacteum) along a radiation exposure gradient at Chernobyl

The effects of exposure to different levels of ionising radiation were assessed on the genetic, epigenetic and microbiome characteristics of the “hologenome” of earthworms collected at sites within the Chernobyl exclusion zone (CEZ). The earthworms Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826) and Octolasion lacteum (Örley, 1881) were the two species that were most frequently found at visited sites, however, only O. lacteum was present at sufficient number across different exposure levels to enable comparative hologenome analysis. The identification of morphotype O. lacteum as a probable single clade was established using a combination of mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I) and nuclear genome (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) using MspI loci). No clear site associated differences in population genetic structure was found between populations using the AFLP marker loci. Further, no relationship between ionising radiation exposure levels and the percentage of methylated loci or pattern of distribution of DNA methylation marks was found. Microbiome structure was clearly site dependent, with gut microbiome community structure and diversity being systematically associated with calculated site-specific earthworm dose rates. There was, however, also co-correlation between earthworm dose rates and other soil properties, notably soil pH; a property known to affect soil bacterial community structure. Such co-correlation means that it is not possible to attribute microbiome changes unequivocally to radionuclide exposure. A better understanding of the relationship between radionuclide exposure soil properties and their interactions on bacterial microbiome community response is, therefore, needed to establish whether these the observed microbiome changes are attributed directly to radiation exposure, other soil properties or to an interaction between multiple variables at sites within the CEZ.

The wildfire problem in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster

This paper examines the issue of radionuclide resuspension from wildland fires in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion in 1986. This work originated from a scientific exchange among scientists from the USDA Forest Service, Ukraine and Belarus that was organized to assess science and technology gaps related to wildfire risk management. A wildfire risk modeling system was developed to predict likely hotspots for large fires and where wildfire ignitions will most likely result in significant radionuclide (Cesium, 137Cs) resuspension. The system was also designed to examine the effect of fuel breaks in terms of reducing both burn probability and resuspension. Results showed substantial spatial variation in fire likelihood, size, intensity, and potential resuspension within the contaminated areas. The potential for a large wildfire and resuspension was highest in the Belorussian Polesie Reserve, but the likelihood of such an event was higher in the Ukrainian Chernobyl Exclusion Zone due to a higher predicted probability of ignition. Fuel breaks were most effective in terms of reducing potential resuspension when located near areas that had both high ignition probability and high levels of 137Cs contamination. Simulation outputs highlighted how human activities shape the fire regime and likelihood of a large fire in the contaminated areas. We discuss how the results can be used to develop a fire management strategy that integrates ignition prevention, detection, effective suppression response, and fuel breaks. Specifically, the modeling system can now be used to explore a wide range of fire management scenarios for the contaminated areas and contribute to a comprehensive fire management strategy that targets specific drivers of fire by leveraging multiple tools including fire prevention and long-term fuel management. Wildfire-caused emissions of radionuclides in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia are a socio-ecological problem that will require defragmenting existing risk management systems and leveraging multiple short- and long-term mitigation measures.

Use of abandoned structures by Przewalski’s wild horses and other wildlife in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Przewalski’s wild horses (Equus ferus przewalski) are an endangered species and current conservation efforts aim to maintain genetic diversity and reintroduce wild populations. From 1998 to 2004, 36 Przewalski’s horses were introduced in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) with no subsequent direct management, and current population size and genetic diversity are unknown. We used remote cameras positioned at the entrance of abandoned structures within the CEZ to elucidate visitation of these structures by Przewalski’s horses and other large mammals to assess the use of this method for monitoring the horse population within the CEZ. We estimated frequency of structure use in winter (Nov 2016–Feb 2017) and summer (Mar 2018–Oct 2018) periods and estimated basic group characteristics such as group type (all male vs. mixed sex), group size, and number of foals. Przewalski’s horses were detected 35 times at 9 of 10 monitored structures in winter and 149 times at all 8 monitored structures in summer. Eight other mammalian species were documented using abandoned structures. Mixed sex groups of horses contained 5.30 ± 0.25 adults and 1.00 ± 0.12 foals (mean ± S.E.). All-male groups contained 1.59 ± 0.15 individuals. Our data suggest Przewalski’s horses routinely use abandoned structures in the CEZ with visitation patterns tending to be nocturnal in winter and crepuscular in summer. Congregation of horses in these structures could have implications for future monitoring of the population by providing detailed information on demographics, population size, and genetic diversity which would benefit management plans for this population and provide a baseline for future work.

How altitudinal gradient affects the diversity and composition of benthic insects in arid areas streams of northern East Algeria?

This study was carried out to evaluate the variation of diversity and composition of benthic insects in streams, along an altitudinal gradient in an arid area of Belezma National Park, Northern East of Algeria. Benthic entomofauna was sampled in the spring season of 2015, 2017 and 2018 at 28 sampling sites distributed along 4 streams unaffected by human pressure. The altitudinal gradient varies between 1045 m and 1500 m. At each site, we measured 5 physicochemical parameters of water and other physical factors describing each site (velocity, depth and width). All of these environmental factors vary significantly with altitude. A total of 78 taxa belonging to 55 families and 8 orders of benthic insects were identified. Both diversity and abundance of studied entomofauna vary with altitudinal gradient. The highest values of diversity were found in the fourth altitudinal zone (AZ4: up to 1400 m, total taxa richness = 52) and AZ3 (1300 to 1400 m, Shannon index = 3.16). The average number of individuals in AZ1 is higher than in all the other altitudinal zones (mean individuals number = 102.75). The General Linear Model analysis shows that the altitudinal gradient is in favour of high diversity but in disfavour of population abundance. The hierarchical clustering analysis revealed three cluster groups of benthic insects, which are altitudinal indicators. Diptera and Ephemeroptera in downstream stations are mainly replaced by Coleoptera in upstream ones.

Hystorize From the Self: D. H. Lawrence and "The Lovely Lady".

Developing Lacan's idea of "hystory," the following reading of D. H. Lawrence's story "The Lovely Lady" considers the personal and historical as deeply entwined, both in their oppression and potential liberation. The lady, who represents the order of bourgeois idealism, discovers the key to eternal youth, each night vampirically feeding off the erotic energy of her son. This essay views the story as an allegory of modern life as a dead zone of alienation, in which "hystory" is comprised of the web of transgenerational phantoms, traumas of the past, and haunting secrets from the crypt of the (m)other's unconscious.

Learning to Read the Great Chernobyl Acceleration

The explosion of reactor number 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986, is often described as mankind’s biggest nuclear accident. However, describing Chernobyl as an accident works like a broom to sweep away the larger story around it, which is more important. Exploring the larger Chernobyl Zone with the help of two biologists and a centenarian villager, this article shows how the greater Pripyat Marshes, where the 1986 accident took place, was already sullied with elevated levels of man-made radioactivity before the plant was ever built. Major radioactive releases continue in the region to this day. By enlarging the scale and temporal dimension of this history, this article shows how the Chernobyl accident serves as only an exclamation point in a chain of toxic exposures that remastered the landscape, society, politics, and bodies, not just locally, but globally.

Analysis of 129I and 127I in soils of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, 29 years after the deposition of 129I.

The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) represents a unique natural laboratory that received significant 129I contamination across a range of soils and land-use types in a short time period in 1986. Data are presented on 129I and 127I in soil samples collected from highly contaminated areas in the CEZ in 2015. The geometric mean (GM) total concentration of stable iodine (127I) was 6.7 × 10-7 g g-1 and the (GM) total concentration of 129I was 2.39 × 10-13 g g-1, equivalent to 1.56 mBq kg-1. GM total 127I concentration is below the European average soil concentration of 3.94 × 10-6 g g-1, while 129I is significantly higher than the pre-Chernobyl activity concentration for 129I of 0.094 mBq kg-1. Significant differences were found in the extractability of native, stable 127I and 129I almost 30 years after the introduction of 129I to the soils. Both 127I and 129I were predominantly associated with alkaline-extractable soil organic matter, established using a three-step sequential extraction procedure. Whereas 127I was significantly correlated with gross soil organic matter (measured by loss on ignition), however, 129I was not. The ratio of 129I/127I was significantly lower in extracts of soil organic matter than in more labile (soluble and adsorbed) fractions, indicating incomplete equilibration of 129I with native 127I in soil humic substances after 29 years residence time in the CEZ soils. The initial physico-chemical form of 129I in the CEZ soils is unknown, but the widespread presence of uranium oxide fuel particles is unlikely to have influenced the environmental behaviour of 129I. Our findings have implications for long-term radiation dose from 129I in contaminated soils and the use of native, stable 127I as a proxy for the long-term fate of 129I.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FIREFIGHTING IN RADIONUCLIDE-CONTAMINATED FORESTS OF THE CHORNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE

Introduction. Forest fires are dangerous for people and environment. Their extinction requires appropriate human and material resources. Fires in the Chornobyl radionuclide-contaminated exclusion zone are especially dangerous. The purpose of paper is to analyze the causes of forest fires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, the characteristics of their elimination taking into account the danger of radioactivity and using protection equipment. Results. The causes for the occurrence of fires in the forests of the Chernobyl exclusion zone are natural and manmade. The clutter of forest areas creates preconditions for the emergence and spread of fire. Radioactive contamination of forests is caused by poor care. Illicit logging and illegal visitors to the exclusion zone contribute to the fires occurrence. In case of a fire, radioactive elements in dust and combustion products extend over long distances. Radionuclides fall on the skin of the firefighter and penetrate the body during of breathing. Dust contributes to dissemination of radionuclides and is caused by the movement of people, firefighting engines, and work of manual and mechanical means. To choose methods of forest fires extinguishing in conditions of radioactive contamination, it is necessary to take into account the avoidance or minimization of firefighters’ direct contact with radioactive materials. Each of the traditional methods of extinguishing fires has its advantages and disadvantages, taking into account cost, efficiency and safety. The paper analyses the following methods of extinguishing: striking on flame, using water, throwing ground into flame, extinguishing by explosion, creating mineralized strips, opposite burning, use of fire aviation, and artificial precipitation. Firefighters have to use appropriate protective clothing and personal protective respiratory equipment during extinguishing a fire in a radioactive environment. Conclusions. To eliminate a forest fire in a radiation-contaminated zone, it is necessary to choose the appropriate method of extinguishing, taking into account the radiation hazard, and to apply the appropriate personal protective equipment. The fire aviation allows eliminating a fire by avoiding direct contact of firefighters with a radiationcontaminated environment.

Mortality Rate Due to Circulatory and Alcohol-Dependent Diseases in Different Climatic Zones of Russia.

AIM:Evaluation of the impact of climatic factors on the formation of mortality due to circulatory diseases and a group of diseases related to alcohol consumption identified as alcohol-dependent.METHODS:The study subject was the adult population residing in different climatic zones of Russia: in the second, third and fourth zones, with different conditions: average annual temperature (5.2°C; 1-2°C; -2.0°C), snow cover duration (≤ 150 days, ≤ 180 days, ≈ 220 days) sunshine duration and the presence of polar night and polar day in the territory of the fourth climatic zone. The assessment “impact-case of death” was carried out by calculating the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for circulatory system diseases (CSD) and alcohol-dependent diseases (ADD) in accordance with the international classification of diseases (ICD-X).RESULTS:The SIR of death from alcohol-dependent diseases for the female population in the 4th climatic zone (Murmansk Region) was the highest: the SIR of death from ADD 1.87; 95% CI (1.5-2.7), the SIR of death from CSD 1.3; 95% CI (1.2-2.3). For the female population in the 3rd climatic zone (Novosibirsk Region), the SIR of death has amounted to: SIRADD 1.52; 95% CI (1.2-1.87), SIRCSD 1.14; 95 CI (1.01-1.3). Living in the 3rd climatic zone was not so important for the health of the male population: the SIR of death from CSD 1.1; 95% CI (1.05-1.13); the SIR of death from ADD 0.8; 95% CI (0.65-0.98). However, living in the 4th climatic zone (Murmansk Region) poses a higher risk of death for the male population: SIRCSD 1.22 (22.0%); 95% CI (1.02-3.95); SIRADD 1.45 (45.0%); 95% CI (0.98-2.1).CONCLUSION:Living in high northern latitudes contributes to higher levels of mortality, both female and male, from circulatory and alcohol-dependent diseases.

Bandazhevskyi Yu.I., Dubova N.F. The state of folate metabolism and its link with thyroid system in children after forest fires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone

Bandazhevskyi Yu.I., Dubova N.F. The state of folate metabolism and its link with thyroid system in children after forest fires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone

Borrelia and Other Zoonotic Pathogens in Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks Collected from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on the 30th Anniversary of the Nuclear Disaster.

Background: The 26th of April 2016 marked 30 years since the Chernobyl accident has occurred in Ukraine. As a result, the uninhabited Chernobyl region has been directly exposed to ionizing radiation for >30 years. Most work has focused on identifying associations between levels of radiation and the abundance, distribution, and mutation rates of plants and animals. Much less, however, is known about microbial communities in this affected region. To date, there are no reports on the prevalence of any tick-borne pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks from the Chernobyl exclusion zone (CEZ). The objective of our study was to examine the abundance of I. ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in the CEZ and to investigate the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and other zoonotic agents in these ixodid ticks. Methods: A total of 260 questing I. ricinus and 100 D. reticulatus adult ticks were individually polymerase chain reaction analyzed for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Francisella tularensis, and/or Rickettsia spp. Results: The respective infections rates were identified and compared with those of ixodid ticks that were concurrently collected from Kyiv. The significant differences between the infection rates of the CEZ and Kyiv ticks were observed for Rickettsia raoultii in D. reticulatus ticks (53.0% vs. 35.7%, respectively; p < 0.05) and Bartonella spp. (8.1% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.05) in I. ricinus ticks. Conclusions: Although the current data clearly demonstrated that the prevalence of some zoonotic pathogens were significantly higher in the ixodid ticks from the CEZ, a more comprehensive systematic approach is required to examine the causal effect of long-term ionizing radiation on adaptive changes of tick-borne pathogens.

The Cultural Landscape of the Chinese Bronze Age

The Chinese Bronze Age culture from the 19th to the 1st century BC can be divided into four zones: the Central Plain in the middle and the lower Yellow River region; the Northern zone along the Great Wall; the Southern zone, south to the middle and the lower Yangzi River; the Southwestern zone covering the upper Yangzi River. In each zone, bronzes are not only different in types and styles but also function differently responding to the processes of the early state formation and social development. More precisely, in the first zone, there are mainly ritual bronzes, serving as symbols of the social and political hierarchy. In the second zone, there are mainly utilitarian items such as weapons, tools, bronzes of everyday use, ornaments, as well as horse-chariot fittings. Bronze musical instruments characterise the third zone. And bronzes of the fourth zone are realistic or symbolic in style, depicting scenes of social life. Though having different cultural origins and characteristics, the four zones communicate with and influence each other continuously, creating a dynamic cultural landscape of the Chinese Bronze Age.

The Cultural Landscape of the Chinese Bronze Age

The Chinese Bronze Age culture from the 19th to the 1st century BC can be divided into four zones: the Central Plain in the middle and the lower Yellow River region; the Northern zone along the Great Wall; the Southern zone, south to the middle and the lower Yangzi River; the Southwestern zone covering the upper Yangzi River. In each zone, bronzes are not only different in types and styles but also function differently responding to the processes of the early state formation and social development. More precisely, in the first zone, there are mainly ritual bronzes, serving as symbols of the social and political hierarchy. In the second zone, there are mainly utilitarian items such as weapons, tools, bronzes of everyday use, ornaments, as well as horse-chariot fittings. Bronze musical instruments characterise the third zone. And bronzes of the fourth zone are realistic or symbolic in style, depicting scenes of social life. Though having different cultural origins and characteristics, the four zones communicate with and influence each other continuously, creating a dynamic cultural landscape of the Chinese Bronze Age.

Numerical and experimental investigation on grinding-induced exit burr formation

Exit burrs are easily generated on workpiece edges. In grinding process, particularly, exit burrs could deteriorate the highly required precision and even affect the functionality of components. Therefore, to understand the burr formation mechanism and control it in grinding process is of great significance. To this end, this paper investigates the features and mechanism of exit burr formation, as well as the influence of grinding conditions including grinding speed, grinding depth, wheel granularity, and grinding pass sequences on the exit burr formation of 12CrMoV stainless steel using the Al2O3 grinding wheels. A 3D finite element (FE) model of single-grit scratching process was developed for explaining the exit burr formation procedures. The effects of different grinding conditions on the exit burr sizes were analyzed, and the characteristics of the exit burr sizes and hardness were observed via experiments. It was found that the whole procedure of exit burr formation during grinding could be divided into six stages: steady-state grinding, pre-initiation, appearance of the fourth deformation zone, formation of plastic deformation band, burr development, and finish of burr formation. The burr sizes were strongly determined by the wheel granularity and grinding depth, rather than the grinding speed. For the same required grinding depths, using whether single pass or multiple passes of the grit has a very small impact on the exit burr sizes. The hardness of the burr root part is relatively stronger than that of the burr rollover part, while the burr hardness would increase when decreasing the grinding depth.

Вплив радіаційних умов зони відчуження ЧАЕС на кровотворну систему нориці рудої

Вплив радіаційних умов зони відчуження ЧАЕС на кровотворну систему нориці рудої

137Cs и 40K в хвое и побегах сосны обыкновенной (Pinus Sylvestris L.) на территории Чернобыльской зоны отчуждения

137Cs и 40K в хвое и побегах сосны обыкновенной (Pinus Sylvestris L.) на территории Чернобыльской зоны отчуждения

The relationship of Wolbachia infection and different phenotypes in the Drosophila melanogaster natural populations from radioactively polluted and clear areas in Ukraine

Aim. The study was performed to investigate the relationship between Wolbachia infection and phenotypes that distinct from wild-type of Drosophila melanogaster from different localities in Ukraine including those from Chornobyl Exclusion Zone during 2013–2014. Methods. We have established isofemale lines from populations: Uman’, Inkerman, Odesa, Varva, Kyiv, Drogobych, Yaniv, Poliske, Chornobyl, and Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The ambient radiation (µSv/h) was measured in the sample sites. The flies were reared in the laboratory through two generations. We carried out the observation of F2 flies for visibly detectable phenotypes. According to whether the trait was inherited, observations were separated into three categories: with deviations of posterior cross-vein (C2) (incomplete penetrance), visible phenotypic changes (non-inherited) and mutations (inherited). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific to the 16S rRNA and Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) genes were used to determine infection presence in isofemale lines of the flies established for each population. Results. Examination of different phenotypes indicates that the highest mutation rate (but not C2 and not inherited changes) is in populations from Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and, therefore, connection with ambient radiation was detected (p = 0.0241). Generalized mixed linear regression has shown evidence that the presence of phenotypes with defects of C2 vein varies with endosymbiont infection presence (p = 0.03473) in the populations from radioactively polluted areas. Conclusion. Wolbachia is not related to occurring phenotypes neither with phenotypic changes nor with mutations, at least in surveyed populations. However, C2 defected phenotypes relates to the bacterial presence in populations from the contaminated area. Nonetheless, the origin of this relationship is unknown and the mechanisms of such a connection require further research. Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster, Wolbachia, endosymbiont, ambient radiation, mutation, phenotypic change, posterior cross-vein.

An experiential investigation into the embroidery practices of the Chernobyl Babushka

This article contextualizes and personalizes a cohesive and cogent line of enquiry into the textile practices of the Babushkas of Chernobyl through empirical research centred upon observing, recording and gathering testimonies and histories in the field. Chernobyl, as place (or rather non-place), is the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident of 1986. Post-accident, 91,200 people were evacuated from areas around Chernobyl and it is now deemed to be uninhabitable. At the time of this research, there were 128 people remaining, their legacy the declining remains of a forgotten community, with a loss of their strong textile heritage. The ‘Embroidery as a Language’ project was implemented in order to discover how a common interest, i.e. embroidery, within the context of action research methodology could be used to encourage stronger connections and understandings between transnational communities and as a consequence promote the sharing of relevant and new information about regional embroidery, in turn preserving the past and taking it forward into the future. Alongside building an archive, the preservation of their history through personal experiences and narratives is paramount and this article reflects the focus on the self-settlers of Chernobyl and their embroideries as an ongoing initiative and an experiential poignant investigation that has developed over the past four years and during my ten separate visits to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

Variation in chronic radiation exposure does not drive life history divergence among Daphnia populations across the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

Ionizing radiation is a mutagen with known negative impacts on individual fitness. However, much less is known about how these individual fitness effects translate into population‐level variation in natural environments that have experienced varying levels of radiation exposure. In this study, we sampled genotypes of the freshwater crustacean, Daphnia pulex, from the eight inhabited lakes across the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). Each lake has experienced very different levels of chronic radiation exposure since a nuclear power reactor exploded there over thirty years ago. The sampled Daphnia genotypes represent genetic snapshots of current populations and allowed us to examine fitness‐related traits under controlled laboratory conditions at UK background dose rates. We found that whilst there was variation in survival and schedules of reproduction among populations, there was no compelling evidence that this was driven by variation in exposure to radiation. Previous studies have shown that controlled exposure to radiation at dose rates included in the range measured in the current study reduce survival, or fecundity, or both. One limitation of this study is the lack of available sites at high dose rates, and future work could test life history variation in various organisms at other high radiation areas. Our results are nevertheless consistent with the idea that other ecological factors, for example competition, predation or parasitism, are likely to play a much bigger role in driving variation among populations than exposure to the high radiation dose rates found in the CEZ. These findings clearly demonstrate that it is important to examine the potential negative effects of radiation across wild populations that are subject to many and varied selection pressures as a result of complex ecological interactions.

Field effects studies in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: Lessons to be learnt

In the initial aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl accident there were detrimental effects recorded on wildlife, including, mass mortality of pine trees close to the reactor, reduced pine seed production, reductions in soil invertebrate abundance and diversity and likely death of small mammals.More than 30 years after the Chernobyl accident there is no consensus on the longer-term impact of the chronic exposure to radiation on wildlife in what is now referred to as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Reconciling this lack of consensus is one of the main challenges for radioecology. With the inclusion of environmental protection in, for instance, the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), we need to be able to incorporate knowledge of the potential effects of radiation on wildlife within the regulatory process (e.g. as a basis on which to define benchmark dose rates).In this paper, we use examples of reported effects on different wildlife groups inhabiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) as a framework to discuss potential reasons for the lack of consensus, consider important factors influencing dose rates organisms receive and make some recommendations on good practice.