Current ionising radiation doses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone do not directly impact on soil biological activity

Beresford, Nicholas A.; Gashchak, Sergey; Barnett, C.L.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263600

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Although the Red Forest has slowly been recolonised by less radiosensitive deciduous tree species and understorey vegetation, it has poor habitat quality. In a recent paper (Beresford et al, 2022), we report that soil biological activity (invertebrates) is comparatively low in the Red Forest and suggest that this may be a residual consequence of the acute high exposure the ecosystem experience in 1986. We recognised that studies will continue to use the Red Forest as a study site because of the high dose rates organisms receive there.…”

Section: Con S Ider Ati On S On S Tud Ie S In R Adiolog Ic Ally Conta...mentioning

confidence: 87%

Some observations on meaningful and objective inference in radioecological field studies

Jackson

Antwis

Beresford

2022

Journal of Animal Ecology

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1. Anthropogenic releases of radiation are of ongoing importance for environmental protection, but the radiation doses at which natural systems begin to show effects are controversial. More certainty is required in this area to achieve optimal regulation for radioactive substances. We recently carried out a large survey (268 sampled animals and 20 sites) of the association between environmental radiation exposures and small mammal gut-associated microbiomes (fungal and bacterial) in the Chornobyl Exclusion zone (CEZ). Using individual measurements of total absorbed dose rates and a study design and analyses that accounted for spatial non-independence, we found no, or only limited, association.2. Watts et al. have criticised our study: for not filtering candidate non-resident components prior to our fungal microbiome analyses, for our qualified speculations on the relative merits of faecal and gut samples, and for the design of our study which they felt lacked sufficient replication.3. The advantage of filtering non-resident-fungal taxa is not clear and it would not have changed the null (spatially adjusted) association we found between radioactive dose and mycobiome composition because the most discriminatory fungal taxa with regard to dose were non-resident taxa.4. We maintain that it was legitimate for us to make qualified discussion comments on the differences in results between our faecal and gut microbiome analyses and on the relative merits of these sample types. 5. Most importantly, the criticism of our study design by Watts et al. and the designs and analysis of their recent studies in the CEZ show a misunderstanding of the true nature of independent replication in field studies. Recognising the importance of spatial non-independence is essential in the design and analysis of radioecological field surveys.

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Section: Con S Ider Ati On S On S Tud Ie S In R Adiolog Ic Ally Conta...mentioning

confidence: 87%

Some observations on meaningful and objective inference in radioecological field studies

Jackson

Antwis

Beresford

2022

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…In the 2000s, research methods and technology drastically improved as metagenomic analysis emerged to address a large number of output data [70,71]. Regarding abundance, Beresford et al (2022) [72] measured the feeding activity of soil fauna via the bait-lamina strip test and demonstrated that biological activity was low in "the Red Forest" in the 10 km zone of the Chernobyl NPP, in 2016, due to a residual effect of acute exposure just after the accident. This finding is consistent with that of Mousseau et al (2014) [73], which showed that leaf litter mass loss was 40% lower at the most contaminated site within 30 km of the Chernobyl NPP in 2007 than at the site with a normal background radiation level.…”

Section: Chernobyl Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Microbes and Plant-Associated Microbes in Response to Radioactive Pollution May Indirectly Affect Plants and Insect Herbivores: Evidence for Indirect Field Effects from Chernobyl and Fukushima

Sakauchi,

Otaki

2024

Microorganisms

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The biological impacts of the nuclear accidents in Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) on wildlife have been studied in many organisms over decades, mainly from dosimetric perspectives based on laboratory experiments using indicator species. However, ecological perspectives are required to understand indirect field-specific effects among species, which are difficult to evaluate under dosimetric laboratory conditions. From the viewpoint that microbes play a fundamental role in ecosystem function as decomposers and symbionts for plants, we reviewed studies on microbes inhabiting soil and plants in Chernobyl and Fukushima in an attempt to find supporting evidence for indirect field-specific effects on plants and insect herbivores. Compositional changes in soil microbes associated with decreases in abundance and species diversity were reported, especially in heavily contaminated areas of both Chernobyl and Fukushima, which may accompany explosions of radioresistant species. In Chernobyl, the population size of soil microbes remained low for at least 20 years after the accident, and the abundance of plant-associated microbes, which are related to the growth and defense systems of plants, possibly decreased. These reported changes in microbes likely affect soil conditions and alter plant physiology. These microbe-mediated effects may then indirectly affect insect herbivores through food-mass-mediated, pollen-mediated, and metabolite-mediated interactions. Metabolite-mediated interactions may be a major pathway for ecological impacts at low pollution levels and could explain the decreases in insect herbivores in Fukushima. The present review highlights the importance of the indirect field effects of long-term low-dose radiation exposure under complex field circumstances.

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“…An important direction in this research area is also to understand why some wild species do not seem to be able to adjust their life‐history traits when living in environments that have become highly mutagenic. This is the case, for example, of the crustacean Asellus aquaticus that live in the Chernobyl region: according to Robertson and Blumstein ( 2019 ), the current dose rates at Chernobyl are not causing discernible effects on the reproductive output of A. aquaticus (see Fuller et al., 2018 and also Beresford et al., 2022 ; Burraco et al., 2021 ). It remains uncertain whether this species possessed robust preexisting anti‐cancer defences, enabling it to mitigate the impacts of harmful radiation, thus showing no effect on life history traits.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The complex effects of modern oncogenic environments on the fitness, evolution and conservation of wildlife species

Dujon,

Ujvari,

Tissot

et al. 2024

Evolutionary Applications

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Growing evidence indicates that human activities are causing cancer rates to rise in both human and wildlife populations. This is due to the inability of ancestral anti‐cancer defences to cope with modern environmental risks. The evolutionary mismatch between modern oncogenic risks and evolved cancer defences has far‐reaching effects on various biological aspects at different timeframes, demanding a comprehensive study of the biology and evolutionary ecology of the affected species. Firstly, the increased activation of anti‐cancer defences leads to excessive energy expenditure, affecting other biological functions and potentially causing health issues like autoimmune diseases. Secondly, tumorigenesis itself can impact important fitness‐related parameters such as competitiveness, predator evasion, resistance to parasites, and dispersal capacity. Thirdly, rising cancer risks can influence the species' life‐history traits, often favoring early reproduction to offset fitness costs associated with cancer. However, this strategy has its limits, and it may not ensure the sustainability of the species if cancer risks continue to rise. Lastly, some species may evolve additional anti‐cancer defences, with uncertain consequences for their biology and future evolutionary path. In summary, we argue that the effects of increased exposure to cancer‐causing substances on wildlife are complex, ranging from immediate responses to long‐term evolutionary changes. Understanding these processes, especially in the context of conservation biology, is urgently needed.

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Current ionising radiation doses in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone do not directly impact on soil biological activity

Cited by 12 publications

References 68 publications

Some observations on meaningful and objective inference in radioecological field studies

Some observations on meaningful and objective inference in radioecological field studies

Soil Microbes and Plant-Associated Microbes in Response to Radioactive Pollution May Indirectly Affect Plants and Insect Herbivores: Evidence for Indirect Field Effects from Chernobyl and Fukushima

The complex effects of modern oncogenic environments on the fitness, evolution and conservation of wildlife species

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