Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Research Articles

Consuming dark sites via street art: Murals at Chernobyl

This paper aims to extend dark tourism scholarship concerned with existential aspects of the human nature and the power of ‘dark places’ to provoke our thinking about the meaning and purpose of human existence. Our main focus is on the artistic expressions in the form of murals that have emerged in the years following the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, questioning the significance and meanings they have for the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, in the context of tourists' perceptions and, more generally, in the context of our being in the world. To that end, we deconstruct the tourist experience of dark sites through knitting together dark tourism, existentialism and street art.

Comparative assessment of blood levels of homocysteine, hormones and minerals in children with different levels of physical growth living near the Chornobyl exclusion zone

Objective: We compared thecontent of homocysteine, hormones and minerals of the blood in the children with different levels of physical development living in the settlements near Chornobyl exclusion zone. Methods: We used instrumental, laboratory, mathematical and statistical methods in the study. Results: 158 children (78 boys and 80 girls) from Polisskyi district, Kyiv oblast were examined within the projectsof the European Commission in Ukraine «Health and Ecological Programmes Connected with Chornobyl Exclusion Zone: Development, Training and Coordination of Health-Related Projects» and Rhône-Alpes Regional Council (France). The studied territory has remained contaminated with radioactive substances after Chornobyl accident until the present day. 137Cs incorporation was shown to affect negatively the physical development (PD) of the children. 137Cs radionuclides cause the disorders of cellular energy, affect negatively thyroid hormone genesis.A significantly high level of free triiodothyronine (T3), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and P was established in adolescents with abnormal low PD in comparison with the children with abnormal high PD. Correlations between the indices of PD, endocrine system and mineral metabolism, registered in a group of examined children, reflect the physiological response of the organism to the cell damage associated with an exposure to 137Cs radionuclides. Comparison of the values of separate metabolic indices with the reference values does not always reflect objectively the severity of metabolic disorders. To identify the metabolic disorders under conditions of constant incorporation of 137Cs radionuclides in a child’s organism, it is necessary to use the information on the associations among several metabolic indices in a group of children living in the territory suffered from the accident at Chornobyl nuclear power plant.

The current landscape fire management in Ukraine and strategy for its improvement

Abstract Recurrent wildfires in Ukraine exert severe impacts on the environment, human health and security as well as damage to private and public assets. From 2007 to 2020, the frequency of large wildfires has increased and reached a level that has not occurred previously. The period during April-October 2020 was the worst in modern Ukrainian history for the occurrence of catastrophic fires, e.g. in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (67 000 ha), Zhytomyr oblast (43 000 ha), Lugansk oblast (35 000 ha) and Kharkiv oblast (8 000 ha). In Ukraine there is the additional problem of open burning, mainly burning agriculture residues, which covers two million hectares (ha) annually. State forestry enterprises who are responsible for the management of 71% of the Ukrainian forests (7.6 million ha)and agricultural holdings are also responsible for the management of 41.3 million ha of croplands. The remaining forest users manage forest areas of 3.1 million ha within reserves and national nature parks. This article presents a brief overview of the problem of forest fires as well as of fires in other landscapes in Ukraine, and includes a critical reviews of the current wildfire management system and a description of the main features of the national wildfire management strategy. It also highlights the results of a survey of numerous stakeholders conducted on landscape fires in Ukraine. Based on the review of global and regional experiences, as well as existing fire risks in Ukraine, recommendations were developed for implementing an integrated landscape level national fire management approach.

Expansion of rDNA and pericentromere satellite repeats in the genomes of bank voles Myodes glareolus exposed to environmental radionuclides.

Altered copy number of certain highly repetitive regions of the genome, such as satellite DNA within heterochromatin and ribosomal RNA loci (rDNA), is hypothesized to help safeguard the genome against damage derived from external stressors. We quantified copy number of the 18S rDNA and a pericentromeric satellite DNA (Msat‐160) in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) inhabiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), an area that is contaminated by radionuclides and where organisms are exposed to elevated levels of ionizing radiation. We found a significant increase in 18S rDNA and Msat‐160 content in the genomes of bank voles from contaminated locations within the CEZ compared with animals from uncontaminated locations. Moreover, 18S rDNA and Msat‐160 copy number were positively correlated in the genomes of bank voles from uncontaminated, but not in the genomes of animals inhabiting contaminated, areas. These results show the capacity for local‐scale geographic variation in genome architecture and are consistent with the genomic safeguard hypothesis. Disruption of cellular processes related to genomic stability appears to be a hallmark effect in bank voles inhabiting areas contaminated by radionuclides.

Impacts of radiation exposure on the bacterial and fungal microbiome of small mammals in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

Environmental impacts of the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident are much debated, but the effects of radiation on host microbiomes have received little attention to date. We present the first analysis of small mammal gut microbiomes from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in relation to total absorbed dose rate, including both caecum and faeces samples. We provide novel evidence that host species determines fungal community composition, and that associations between microbiome (both bacterial and fungal) communities and radiation exposure vary between host species. Using ambient versus total weighted absorbed dose rates in analyses produced different results, with the latter more robust for interpreting microbiome changes at the individual level. We found considerable variation between results for faecal and gut samples of bank voles, suggesting faecal samples are not an accurate indicator of gut composition. Associations between radiation exposure and microbiome composition of gut samples were not robust against geographical variation, although we identified families of bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae) and fungi (Steccherinaceae and Strophariaceae) in the guts of bank voles that may serve as biomarkers of radiation exposure. Further studies considering a range of small mammal species are needed to establish the robustness of these potential biomarkers.

Wildfires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone-Risks and consequences.

Following the 1986 Chornobyl accident, an area approaching 5000 km2 surrounding the nuclear plant was abandoned, creating the Chornobyl exclusion zone (CEZ). Although this area likely contains the most radioactive terrestrial ecosystem on earth, the absence of humans and associated activities for nearly 35 years since the accident has resulted in increases in wildlife numbers. Both the Belarussian and Ukrainian components of the CEZ are now designated as nature reserves; together they form one of Europe's largest protected areas and have been described as an iconic example of rewilding. Forests and former agricultural land (now scrub) dominate the CEZ and wildfires are an annual event. In April 2020, the CEZ suffered its most widespread fires to date when greater than 800 km2 of the 2600 km2 Ukrainian portion of the CEZ was burnt. Large-scale fires in the CEZ have implications for wildlife, as they do elsewhere, but they also pose additional radioecological and radiological protection questions. We discuss the implications of wildfires in the CEZ, considering effects on wildlife and changes in radionuclide mobility. We also demonstrate that the risk to firefighters and the wider public from the inhalation of radionuclides in smoke resulting from fires in the CEZ is likely to be low. However, further experimental and modeling work to evaluate potential doses to firefighters from inhaled radioactive particles would be valuable, not least for reassurance purposes. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1141-1150 © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Effective planting arrangement on floodplains to reduce soil loss in a flood regime: Study using physical models

In Taiwan, many floodplains are used for agriculture because flood discharge cannot be blocked, and farmers must be willing to accept the noncompensation offer from the government should their plants be destroyed by floods. Moreover, a scour problem has been observed in floodplains with some kinds of plant, such as bananas. Through a series of laboratory experiments, physical modeling was conducted to develop a planting design to reduce the erosion problem. Five different interval spacings between successive plant models were designed to observe the three-dimensional flow field and sediment transport. The results showed that four low-velocity zones formed around plants when a flood bent them. Among them, the fourth low velocity had the largest influence range. However, if the length of the interval spacing was less than the length of the bent plant, it would cause a shelter effect. This effect would limit the appearance of the fourth low-velocity zone and diminish downstream erosion. In addition, it is suggested that plants be planted using the half length of bent plants as an interval spacing to reduce soil loss. The transverse distance between plant rows should be larger than the half length of the bent plant to avoid contraction scour effects on floodplains. This practical planting method could meet human needs (through added profits) and prevent environmental damage (reduce erosion) simultaneously, making it an effective management strategy for ecological engineers in floodplains.

Ecology after Dark

This article takes its cue from Timothy Morton’s invitation to think all things in terms of radioactivity. Instead of focusing on objects, however, the author explores radiation in the imagination of animal desire in the nuclear dystopia. Her working hypothesis is that the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone—now an ecological reserve—is paradigmatic or symptomatic, a theater for the complicated libidinal architecture of the kinds of postapocalyptic sites that may in coming years become the primary places for charismatic megafauna to live, and in which conservation becomes the management not just of bodies, populations, or sexual practices but of desire itself.

Existing Risks of Forest Fires in Radiation Contaminated Areas: A Critical Review

The purpose to highlight and focus on the most important risks of forest fires in radiationcontaminated areas, with some detailing of the problem in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). The search strategy was to collect a sufficient number of relevant publications in ScienceDirect, PubMed, Mendeley, ResearchGate, GoogleScholar from 2006 to the present in English, Russian, Ukrainian. Requests were made on the topics "Forest fires in a radioactively contaminated area" and "Assessing the territories' radiation safety", as well as for the keywords of this study. Analysis of available open information about the CEZ was done. Although, in the future, temperatures are expected to rise in contaminated forests, and the amount of precipitation will remain the same or slightly decrease, which will contribute to an increase in the frequency of fires. Considering the socio-economic situation in Ukraine, the introduction of early detection systems is more profitable than the elimination of the consequences of such emergencies. Investigations have been studied, which were published after 2006 only in English, Russian, and Ukrainian. The most attention is paid to Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Despite the fact that a lot of studies are devoted to the study of the ecological situation in radioactively contaminated areas, many issues related to safety still concern the population living in this area. The reason for this is intermittent fires, which again and again cover large areas with smoke and cannot be extinguished for a long time. To eliminate anxiety, it is necessary to convey truthful information to the population in the most accessible and convincing way. It was a critical look at numerous studies in this area that made it possible to present concentrated information understandable for most segments of the population. The document concentrates on the most key problems of fires in radioactive forests, shows the intensity of the radionuclides impact on the population and the exposure ways, as well as the probable risks. Such information is necessary to reduce the psychological stress that can be caused by the media influence. Objectively understood situation promotes constructive action in extreme conditions and reduces the likelihood of panic.

Seasonal changes in uptake and depuration of 137Cs and 90Sr in silver Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) and common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)

Dynamic transfer of radionuclides to fish was studied in a series of experiments under field condition in two lakes within the Chernobyl exclusion zone during 2016–2020. “Clean” common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) and silver Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) were transported to the contaminated Glubokoye Lake and kept in cages during several months of exposure, while contaminated Glubokoye fish were kept in cages in the “clean” Starukha Lake. Radiocaesium (137Cs) and radiostrontium (90Sr) were determined in intestine contents, muscle and bone tissues based on repeated samples during several months of exposure.During summer, the activity concentrations of 137Cs and 90Sr increased with time of exposure in clean fish caged in the contaminated lake. During autumn and winter, however, minor changes in fish uptake occurred during several weeks of exposure to the contaminated water. Furthermore, depuration in the contaminated fish was significant during summer, while insignificant during winter when exposed in the «clean» water. The rate constant of 137Cs uptake in muscle was between 8.0 and 22 day−1 during summer, while 0.2 to 1.0 day−1 during autumn-winter. Similarly, the rate constant of 90Sr uptake in bone was between 1.4 and 1.6 day−1, while 0.08–0.52 day−1 during autumn-winter. Biological half-lives of 137Cs in fish muscle tissue in summer were 77 ± 10 days, while exceeded 230 days during seasons at low water temperature.The results demonstrated that the transfer of 137Cs and 90Sr to fish was highly dependent upon seasons, in particular the water temperature. The transfer data obtained during low water temperature seasons deviated significantly from transfer data in literature and handbooks. Thus, seasonal changes in radionuclide transfer to fish should be taken into account when radiological impact to fish is assessed.

The Environmental Effects of the April 2020 Wildfires and the Cs-137 Re-Suspension in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: A Multi-Hazard Threat

This paper demonstrates the environmental impacts of the wildfires occurring at the beginning of April 2020 in and around the highly contaminated Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ). Due to the critical fire location, concerns arose about secondary radioactive contamination potentially spreading over Europe. The impact of the fire was assessed through the evaluation of fire plume dispersion and re-suspension of the radionuclide Cs-137, whereas, to assess the smoke plume effect, a WRF-Chem simulation was performed and compared to Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite columns. The results show agreement of the simulated black carbon and carbon monoxide plumes with the plumes as observed by TROPOMI, where pollutants were also transported to Belarus. From an air quality and health perspective, the wildfires caused extremely bad air quality over Kiev, where the WRF-Chem model simulated mean values of PM2.5 up to 300 µg/m3 (during the first fire outbreak) over CEZ. The re-suspension of Cs-137 was assessed by a Bayesian inverse modelling approach using FLEXPART as the atmospheric transport model and Ukraine observations, yielding a total release of 600 ± 200 GBq. The increase in both smoke and Cs-137 emissions was only well correlated on the 9 April, likely related to a shift of the focus area of the fires. From a radiological point of view even the highest Cs-137 values (average measured or modelled air concentrations and modelled deposition) at the measurement site closest to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, i.e., Kiev, posed no health risk.

Impact of forest fire on the vegetable cover of radioactively contaminated areas

This article presents the results of assessing the impact of fires on the vegetation of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and the zone of unconditional (mandatory) resettlement, Drevlyansky Nature Reserve using means of remote sensing of the Earth for the period from 1986 to 2020. The methods and criteria for assessing vegetation damage using spectral data obtained from space satellites of the Earth and using methods of geoinformation technologies are proposed. This methodology provides mapping vegetation through remote sensing imagery. Comparing space images of the territory of the exclusion zone and the zone of unconditional mandatory resettlement for 1986, 1999, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, for the period of 34 years after the accident, identified significant changes in the condition of lands belonging to forest and agricultural lands. In the result of the study revealed the changes observed in the boundaries of water bodies because drying of artificial reservoirs, changes in the direction of riverbeds, waterlogging of drainage canals and adjacent forest areas. The identified effect from fires in forests where dry forest materials have accumulated and from consequences of forest management. It is also noted, that according to the spectral data of space images, areas of forest damaged by insects are well defined. The study reveals

РАДЯНІЗМИ В СЕРІАЛІ “CHERNOBYL”: ПЕРЕКЛАДАЦЬКИЙ ТА ЛІНГВОКУЛЬТУРНИЙ АСПЕКТИ

The article examines the Sovietisms used in “Chernobyl” miniseries produced by HBO. Lexical semantic groups as sets of paradigmatically and semantically related lexical means are detected and analised. The key role in the text part of HBO’s miniseries “Chernobyl” produced by HBO is played by the nominations of Soviet authorities (23% of the researched Sovietisms), Soviet awards (7%), Soviet authorities’ positions (25%), NPP workers’ positions (9%), Soviet institutions and buildings (11%), Soviet phrases and slogans (25%). The article discusses the Sovietisms’ ambivalence as perceived by the representatives of post-Soviet countries and other lingvocultures. The Sovietisms’ identification in modern Ukrainian society is checked through a survey of 40 respondents of two age groups: the generation that was born in post-Soviet independent Ukraine (aged from 14 to 25) and older generation, people who were born and lived in USSR (aged from 37 to 65). The results of the survey show that older generations identify the Soviet realia clearer than young generation that recognizes only up to 51% sovietisms. These issues include, but are not restricted to, the reception of the given audiovisual methods, techniques and transformations, and the different ways in which the translation process is accomplished in different countries. The data obtained must be thoroughly considered when adapting audiovisual products for different audiences. The main means of the Sovietisms’ adaptation for English (original) version of the miniseries contextual interpretation (84%) and transliteration (16%). The discussion of the study will contribute to assessing the potential multinational studies in audiovisual translation, thus offering indications on future methodological developments and enabling more detailed and structured comparisons. The material analysed in the article can be used for adaptation of audiovisual products for the Ukrainian audience and for tourist services’ improvement, including accompanying foreign tourists to the Chornobyl Zone.

Application of laboratory beta radiometry for quantitative indication of radionuclide concentration in plant samples

The aim is to improve the beta-radiometric method of quantitative indication of the content of 90Sr and 137Cs in the counters of plant samples.
 Material and methods. In the Chernobyl exclusion zone (ChEZ) in 2017, 2019, leaves of silver birch, black poplar, common reed, sedge were selected, which were dried, crushed, and used as calculating samples for beta radiometry and spectrometry. For measurements, a combined KRK-1 radiometer and a SEB 01-150 spectrometer beta-radiation energy were used.
 Results. Currently, in plant samples from the ChEZ, the following are widespread: natural 40K, the concentration of which is usually less than 1 % in relation to the concentration of technogenic radionuclides 90Sr+90Y and 137Cs, therefore, when measuring 90Sr and 137Cs, beta radiation of 40K can be ignored. The measurements were carried out without a spectral filter and using a thin molybdenum filter. Without filter – show the count rate of 90Sr+90Y and 137Cs radiation. The filter transmits 2–3.5 % of the low-energy beta radiation of 90Sr and 137Cs and more than 95 % of the high-energy 90Y. The ratio of the count rate of 90Y pulses with and without filter is 2.14. The 90Sr concentration in the samples was determined from the results of measurements of 90Y, and 137Cs – through the fraction of the counting rate, which remains after deducting 90Sr+90Y. Comparison of the concentration of radionuclides measured by the method of beta-radiometry and spectrometry showed no significant difference between the results obtained by the two methods.
 Conclusions. The beta radiometry method for 90Sr and 137Cs provides for measuring the counting rate of beta radiation from counting samples without a spectral filter and using a thin molybdenum filter. Based on the research results, a procedure for calculating the concentration of 90Sr and 137Cs in counting samples of plant leaves was developed

METHODS FOR DETECTING FIRES IN ECOSYSTEMS USING LOW-RESOLUTION SPACE IMAGES

The paper presents the methods for fire identification using low-resolution space images obtained from Terra Modis and NOAA satellites. There are lots of algorithms to identify potentially "fire pixels" (PF). They are based on the assessment of temperature in spectral ranges from 3.5–4 to 10.5–11.5 microns. One of the problematic aspects in the Fire Detection Method using low-resolution space images is "Cloud and Water Masking". To identify "fire pixels", it is important to exclude from the analysis fragments of images that are covered with clouds and occupied by water objects. Identification of pixels in which one or more fires are actively burning at the time of passing over the Earth is the basis of the algorithm for detecting potentially "fire pixels". The algorithm requires a significant increase in radiation in the range of 4 micrometers, as well as on the observed radiation in the range of 11 micrometers. The algorithm investigates each pixel in a scene that is assigned one of the following classes as a result: lack of data, cloud, water, potentially fire or uncertain. The pixels that lack actual data are immediately classified as "missing data (NULL)" and excluded from further consideration. Cloud and water pixels, defined by the cloud masking technique and water objects, belong to cloud and water classes, respectively. The fire detection algorithm investigates only those pixels of the Earth's surface that are classified as potentially fire or uncertain. The method was implemented using the Visual Programming Tool PowerBuilder in the data processing system of Erdas Imaging. As a result of the use of the identification method, fires in the Chornobyl exclusion zone, steppe fires and fires at gas wells were detected. Using the method of satellite fire identification is essential for the prompt detection of fires for remote forests or steppes that are poorly controlled by ground monitoring methods.

Оцінювання вмісту 90Sr у деревині сосни звичайної на основі вимірювання щільності потоку бета-частинок із поверхні кори стовбура

This paper presents an approach for indirect measuring of 90Sr activity concentration in stem wood of Scots pine`s live trees within the Chernobyl exclusion zone based on values of beta-particles surface flux density from stem bark at a thee height of 1.3 m above the forest floor that obtained by use STORA-TU RKS-01 radiometer-dosimeter under field condition. The similar express-methods often consider in scientific publications so as they allow to obtain probable levels of radiation contamination without taking samples for laboratory measurements. That in turn can be used to optimize sampling or for example in the case of the need to preserve the intact initial state of the biota during long-term in situ or/and in vivo observations. The empirical data for validation of the method have received on 13 experimental sites of artificial (plantation) even-aged stands which consist only of one woody species: Scots pine. The correlation analysis discovered statistical significant relation at p-value=0.05 between arithmetic averages of beta-particles surface flux density from stem bark of pine trees at the forest sites and 90Sr activity concentration in stem wood elements (sap wood, heartwood and all stem wood), and functional dependencies among these parameters are described by a simple linear equation with only one slope parameters (R2 = 0.90–0.96) whose predicted values for sap wood, heartwood, and all stem wood are (± standard deviation) 23.1±8.5, 42.3±10.3, and 26.8±6.8 Bq·cm2·min·(kg·pcs)-1, respectively. Moreover, the influence of biometric indicators of individual trees (diameter, height, age) on this pattern was not detected. However, the average diameter (DBH) of stands has the strongest influence among forest inventory indicators on the value of the 90Sr activity concentration ratio between sap wood and heartwood (r = 0.93), that is, the radial distribution of the studied radionuclide in stem wood of pine trees. The results of these studies should be confirmed by a larger collection of observations for Scots pine given the small sample size for her in this paper. Also, scientists are necessary to include empirical data for other major forest-forming woody species within the research region due to the importance of using express-methods of radioactive contamination levels estimation for the planning and optimization of forest management.

Динаміка питомої активності 90Sr і 137Cs у представників іхтіофауни водойм Чорнобильської зони відчуження

The results of the assessment of levels of radionuclide contamination of fish during 2013 - 2019 in the reservoirs of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (lakes Azbuchyn, Vershyna, Hlyboke, Daleke, Yanivsky Backwater, Chornobyl NPP cooling pond) are presented. It was found that the concentration of 137Cs in representatives of ichthyofauna of water bodies during the study period continued to decrease, while the concentration of 90Sr, with some exceptions, remained unchanged or increased. The concentration of radionuclides in fish of the studied reservoirs was about 60 - 5000 times for 90Sr and in 3 - 200 times for 137Cs higher than the permissible levels for fish products accepted in Ukraine.

Diagnosis and Surgical Principles in the Treatment of Acute Injuries of the Flexor Tendons of the Hand

Injuries to the flexor tendons of the wrist are a separate chapter in wrist surgery. Flexor tendon injuries still remain a challenge to ensure the patient's optimal outcome.
 A special problem in the exploration of hand injuries is the accurate assessment of whether there is an injury to one or more tendons, at what height the injury is, and whether it is accompanied by injury to other elements of the hand.
 On the volar side of the hand, both flexors of the fingers, superficial and deep, or just one of them, maybe injured. If the lesion is in the first zone depending on the severity of the injury, reinsertion or direct tenography is required.
 In the second zone, there are still ambiguous views on the reconstruction of the deep and superficial flexor, ie. whether the surface flexor needs to be reconstructed. Injury to the flexor tendons in the third zone requires careful exploration for possible injury to the neurovascular elements, and the fourth zone often requires the release of the carpal tunnel.
 In the most proximal zone of the flexor tendons, the fifth zone, injury to the main blood vessels of the hand and the nerves responsible for sensitive and motor innervation of the hand is possible.
 Each injury should be approached with careful preoperative examination, appropriate operative technique as well as postoperative rehabilitation in order to fully restore the function of the hand.

Biomechanical characteristics of the metatarsal part of the foot in swimmers in walking

Objective: to investigate the characteristics of the distribution of pressure under the foot during walking in swimmers of various ages and experience.Materials and methods. The study involved swimmers aged 11.4 ± 1.9 years, of both sexes, with at least 4 years of training experience (n = 23) and masters of sports in swimming, 19.3 ± 1.5 years old with 12.2 ± 1.3 years of experience (n = 23). The study used a podometric footscan® platform from RSscan company. Kinematic and dynamic parameters of pressure under the foot during natural walking were recorded. The focus was on the indicators of contact with the support in the zones of the metatarsal part of the foot. The peak pressure value in each metatarsal zone and the time to reach it were taken into account.Results. In the course of the study, the order in which the maximum pressure under the metatarsal zones manifests was understood, which appeared in a sequence: fifth, fourth, first, third and second metatarsal zones. It was found that in young athletes the transverse arch of the foot during walking undergoes a relatively greater load than in older athletes. Moreover, relatively high values were noted in the zones of the second and third metatarsals in both age groups.Conclusions: the swimmer’s foot experiences a significant professional transformation associated with specific sports activities, which dictates the need to introduce certain preventive and corrective measures into sports training.

Radiosensitivity of herbaceous plants to chronic radiation exposure: Field study in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Five herbaceous plant species (Aquilegia vulgaris L., Capsella bursa-pastoris L., Dactylis glomerata L., Taraxacum officinale Wigg., and Trifolium repens L.) were sampled at twelve plots in the radioactively contaminated Chernobyl exclusion zone. These plots comprise dose rates from 0.27 to 12.5 μGy/h. The sensitivity of each plant species to chronic multigenerational radiation exposure was estimated using a broad range of parameters, including transcriptional, biochemical, physiological, morphological, and reproductive end-points. We suggest that chronic radiation exposure may influence the state of antioxidant system of chronically irradiated plants in a species-specific way, possibly leading to changes in photosynthetic capacity. ATP and ABA contents were not influenced by chronic irradiation at the plots. For most of the species studied, chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements may be a more appropriate way to assess the stress response to chronic irradiation, while biochemical parameters had significantly higher natural heterogeneity. High-throughput sequencing of the transcriptome of C. bursa-pastoris leaves from radioactively contaminated plots revealed significant stress response to chronic irradiation and supported a predicted important role of histones and chaperons in adaptation to chronic radiation exposure in field conditions. Overall, the results suggest that a prediction of herbaceous species sensitivity to chronic radiation might be initially derived from data on sensitivity to acute radiation exposure.