Chromosomal instability in rodents caused by pollution from Baikonur cosmodrome

Abstract

An assessment of the health status of ecosystems exposed to man-made pollution is a vital issue for many countries. Particularly it concerns the consequences of contamination caused by the activity of the space industry. Each rocket launch is accompanied by the introduction of parts of the rocket propellant into the environment. This study aims to scrutinize the effect of the components of rocket fuel on the induction of lipid peroxidation and chromosomal aberrations on rodents inhabiting the area exposed to pollution from Baikonur cosmodrome. The results showed the increase of the level of lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde in the livers of Citellus pygmaeus Pallas and Mus musculus L., which indicates an augmentation of free radical activity and DNA damage. The cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow cells revealed that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was a few times higher in the rodents from contaminated territory. The signs of oxidative stress and high level of chromosomal aberrations indicate the environmental impact of the cosmodrome, and its possible toxic and mutagenic effects on ecosystems.

Genotoxic effects of N-nitrosodimethylamine in somatic and generative cells of mice

“…Обострение глобальной кризисной экологической ситуации связано с повсеместным загрязнением ОС различными химическими соединениями. Следствием накопления в ОС тяжелых металлов, пестицидов, по-верхностно-активных веществ, компонентов ракетного топлива становятся рост заболеваемости населения, де-стабилизация природных экосистем и снижение биоло-гического разнообразия [5][6][7][8][9]. Возникновение мутаций в зародышевых клетках приводит к выкидышам и вро-жденным порокам развития, в половых клетках -к воз-никновению наследственных заболеваний, а в соматиче-ских -к возникновению и развитию злокачественных новообразований [10,11].…”

Rocket launches threaten global conservation

“…For example, hydrochloric acid emitted from solid rocket launches leaching into nearby water led to sh kills 19 . Insect richness and abundance were reduced by launch events reported in up to 5 km around the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in China 20 ; Exposure to pollutants from launch activities, augmentation of free radical activity, DNA damage and high level of chromosomal aberrations have also been observed in little ground squirrels (Citellus pygmaeus Pallas) and house mouses (Mus musculus L.) 21 . Furthermore, the falling debris from separating rocket parts can extend the impact area to 400-1500 km from the launch complex of the cosmodrome 22 .…”

Study of the Effect of Rocket Fuel on Plant Communities Growing at Sites of Launch Vehicles Separating Parts Fall

“…While the toxicity of a few of the UDMH metabolites is well known, the majority of the compounds have not been studied in detail, due to the high cost of such studies. Most of the UDMH metabolites are toxic to living organisms, which necessitates monitoring their concentrations in the environment [Carlsen et al, 2009;Kolumbayeva et al, 2014;Kenessov et al, 2012;Carlsen et al, 2009;Carlsen et al, 2008].…”