A review of the impact on the ecosystem after ionizing irradiation: wildlife population

Abstract

Purpose

On 26 April 1986, reactor 4 at the Chernobyl power plant underwent a catastrophic failure leading to core explosions and open-air fires. On 11 March 2011, a combination of earthquake and tsunami led to a similar disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. In both cases, radioactive isotopes were released and contaminated the air, soil and water in a substantial area around the power plants. Humans were evacuated from the immediate regions but the wildlife stayed and continued to be affected by the ongoing high radiation exposure initially and later decayed amounts of fallout dusts with time. In this review, we will examine the significant effects of the increased radiation on vegetation, insects, fish, birds and mammals.

Conclusions

The initial intense radiation in these areas has gradually begun to decrease but still remains high. Adaptation to radiation is evident and the ecosystems have dynamically changed from the periods immediately after the accidents to the present day. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow the adaptation and recovery of wildlife to chronic radiation challenges would aid in future attempts at ecosystem remediation in the wake of such incidents.

Keywords:

• Radiation
• ecosystem
• wildlife
• population
• DNA damage
• apoptosis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no financial conflicts of interest. The manuscript was cleared for publication by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The views, opinions, and findings contained in this report are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy or positions of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense, or the United States government.

Additional information

Funding

This review has been funded in part by Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) intramural program RBB34363 and RAB310934.

Notes on contributors

Georgetta Cannon

Georgetta Cannon is a member of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense.

Juliann G. Kiang

Juliann G. Kiang is Principal Investigator of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Professor (adjunct) of the Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, and Professor (adjunct) of the Department of Medicine, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense.