Short Communication

Nuclear power plant accidents and its environmental, ecological

and genetic impact

Harshini Sarojini

Price Institute of Surgical Research, Hiram C Polk Jr. MD Department of Surgery, University of

Louisville, and Noveratech LLC of Louisville, KY, USA

Abstract

The largest radioactive power plant accident happened in Chernobyl. The residents were evacuated from the

area 24 hours after the accident and the area was declared prohibited for inhabitation. The radioactive material

from the accident contaminated the land and water in and around the Chernobyl area. From the contaminated

land and water bodies the radioactive materials entered the plants and other living organisms through the food

chain. The radioactive contaminants have adversely affected the survival of plants, caused an increase in

mortality of animals and created genetic abnormalities. The radioactivity decay over the years has helped to

develop a unique nature preserve for biodiversity by allowing the biological populations to survive, reproduce

and recover in the area.

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident on April 26, 1986 in Ukraine was the largest uncontrolled

radioactive release recorded in history. This uncontrolled radioactive release contained enormous amounts of

radioactive Iodine-131, Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 deposited near the nuclear power plant in Ukraine, as well

as in Belarus and Russian Federation, the two neighbouring countries. [1] Approximately 200,000 km2 were

contaminated by radionuclides with a total released radioactivity of 5300 PBq. [2] The day after the explosion,

residents living within 30 km around the damaged nuclear power plant were evacuated within 30 hours by the

Soviet authorities and declared the area prohibited for inhabitation. In addition to this, people outside the 30km

zone were also evacuated. Over all 350,000 people suffered the overnight evacuation and relocation.[2]

Environmental impact

radiation levels in the air being the same as before the accident. The major concern in the early months after the

accident was the presence of short-lived radioactive iodine contamination in the crops, meat and milk. But the

major concern, for now and decades to come, is the contamination due to longer-lived radioactive caesium.

Caesium contamination is expected to remain high for several decades in forest food products such as berries,

mushrooms etc and they

How to cite this article: Sarojini H. Nuclear power plant accidents and its environmental, ecological and

genetic impact. Journal of Experimental Biology and Zoological Studies 2025;1(1):___. DOI:_______.

are still reported to remain in higher levels. The radioactive materials contaminated the water bodies and fish;

but this contamination was soon reduced due to the decay and dilution of the radioactive materials. Up till now

biodiversity. [3]

Ecological implication

Ionizing radiation from Chernobyl nuclear accidents has diminished the diversity and species abundance of the

ecosystem. The resurgence in studies focusing on radiobiology and radioecology, specifically on the low dose

effects of ionizing radiation emerged after Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. The effects of low dose

radiation on non-human biota are seldom studied. Møller, Mousseau and colleagues have conducted a

significant amount of field studies on the effects of the low doses of radiation on non-human biota especially in

Chernobyl birds. The emphasis on the study was based on high metabolic rates, high survival rates and a high

Chernobyl. [8]

However, it has been debated that the ambient dose rates in the contaminated regions are too low to certify

significant impacts. [9,10] Correspondingly no standardized census subsists for common animals in relation to the

radiation. [11] Hence, the query of the ecological effects of radiation essentially remains unresolved. Even

though, the precise dose determination under field conditions can be challenging, the maximum dose rate for

terrestrial plants to reproduce and long-term survival in natural populations is considered to be 400 mGy/h. [12]

However, these lower doses of ionizing radiation can induce stress responses in an irradiated organism. [13,14]

The comprehensive molecular mechanisms of adaptation to chronic radiation exposure by plants still remain

unresolved. [15-18] The ionizing radiation exposure dose at which the response occurs depend on the species, age,

to clear the atmosphere from radionuclides, which were consequently transferred to the soil. Several studies

have reported that rain can carry more radioactivity deposition than a radioactive cloud settling.[22] Marine

organisms have low radioactivity concentrations due to their dilution of radioactive fall outs in sea water.

Mosses, fungi and lichens are reported to be collectors of a variety of heavy metals and toxic substances from

their environment. [23] Finally, in fruit-bearing trees, higher radioactivity is clearly observed in the leaves than

in the fruit, due to a greater surface exposed to contamination.[23]

The biodiversity loss is a serious concern, since they play a vital role in long term ecosystem functioning. [24]

Hence, research focused on the biodiversity spatial distribution is essential.

Exclusion Zone were found to be reduced among most of the investigated taxonic groups (i.e., birds, bees,

butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies, spiders, mammals). One of the initial tests for radiation on mutation rates

at Chernobyl used microsatellite markers to examine de novo mutation rates in barn swall Hirundorustica. [26]

The mutation rates in this study were 2 to 10-fold higher for birds in Chernobyl than the control populations

on the bird feathers and the mammalian furs. These “partial albinos” have been reported for Chernobyl barn

swallows [26,27] and other bird species. [28] Møller et al. (2004) reported that the frequency of abnormal

sperms in barn swallows was up to 10 times higher for Chernobyl birds as compared to sperms from males

living in control areas. They also reported that the abnormality rates were interrelated to the reduced levels of

antioxidants in the blood, liver, and eggs of these birds, thereby postulating the hypothesis that antioxidants play

a significant role in DNA protection from the direct/indirect radionuclides exposure. Møller et al. (2008) found

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

1. UNSCEAR. United Nations (UN) Report to the General Assembly, Scientific Annexes C, D and E,

4. Møller AP, Mousseau TA. Species richness and abundance of forest birds in relation to radiation at

5. Møller AP, Mousseau TA. Reduced abundance of insects and spiders linked to radiation at Chernobyl 20

6. Møller AP, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Rudolfsen G, Mousseau TA. Chernobyl birds have smaller brains. PLoS

7. Møller AP, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Mousseau TA. High frequency of albinism and tumours in free-living

8. Møller AP, Mousseau TA. Determinants of interspecific variation in population declines of birds after

12. UNSCEAR. Effects of ionizing radiation on non-human biota. Report to the General Assembly with