Plants in the Light of Ionizing Radiation: What Have We Learned From Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Other “Hot” Places?

Abstract

Perhaps the main factor determining success of space travel will be the ability to control effects of ionizing radiation for humans, but also for other living organisms. Manned space travel will require the cultivation of food plants under conditions of prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation. Although there is a significant literature concerning the effects of acute high dose rate exposures on plant genetics, growth, and development, much less is known concerning the effects of chronic low dose irradiation especially those related to the impacts of the high energy protons and heavy ions that are encountered in the space environment. Here, we make the argument that in situ studies of the effects of radionuclides at nuclear accident sites (e.g., Chernobyl and Fukushima), atomic bomb test sites, and areas of naturally high radiation levels, could provide insights concerning the mechanisms of radiation effects on living systems that cannot be assessed short of conducting research in space, which is not yet feasible for large scale, long term, multigenerational experiments. In this article we review the literature concerning the effects of chronic low-dose rate radiation exposure from studies conducted in Chernobyl, Fukushima, and other regions of the world with high ambient radiation levels (parts of India in particular). In general, mutation rates and other measures of genetic damage are considerably elevated, pollen and seed viability are reduced, growth rates are slower, and the frequency of developmental abnormalities is increased, although there is considerable variation among taxa for these effects. In addition, there are interactions between radiation and other environmental stressors (e.g., temperature, drought, heavy metals) that may play important roles in determining susceptibility to radiation induced stress.

Nutrient Imbalance of the Host Plant for Larvae of the Pale Grass Blue Butterfly May Mediate the Field Effect of Low-Dose Radiation Exposure in Fukushima: Dose-Dependent Changes in the Sodium Content

“…The severe morphological abnormalities of gall-forming aphids found in Fukushima but not in uncontaminated areas are striking [ 39 ], although the low-dose exposure experiments did not produce any morphological abnormalities or fatal results [ 40 ]. Furthermore, possible responses of several species of plants to radioactive contamination have been reported [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. As herbivorous insects totally depend on the quality and quantity of available edible plants, ecological interactions between insects and plants may be disrupted if insects’ host plants are affected genetically and physiologically by radioactive pollution.…”

The Myth of Sustainability

“…A modest decline in the aerosol masking effect translates to loss of habitat for human animals, with human extinction soon to follow. In addition, cessation of industrial civilization results in the meltdown of additional nuclear power plants, which will lead to the near-term death of plants, which form the base of the food web for humans and other animals [31].…”

Near-Term Loss of Habitat for Homo sapiens

“…Firstly, the rapid reduction in aerosol masking associated with a reduction in industrial activity leads directly to loss of habitat for humans and most other organisms on Earth. Secondly, the catastrophic meltdown of the world's nuclear power facilities as essential workers stop working voluntarily -or disappear as a result of human extinction -will lead to lethal mutations resulting from widespread ionizing radiation, thereby threatening all plant life on Earth with extinction [22].…”