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The Chernobyland Fukushima Research Initiative report – no evidence for complacency

Chernobyl is Still Bleeding, Radiation Prevention, 15 June 15 Of the many signs Chernobyl is far from recovery almost 30 years after their single reactor (reactor #4) nuclear disaster, here’s a hand full from the The Chernobyland Fukushima Research Initiative report summary:

Population sizes and numbers of species (i.e. biodiversity) of birds, mammals, insects, and spiders are significantly lower in areas of high contamination in Chernobyl.

For many birds and small mammals, life spans are shorter and fertility is depressed in areas of high contamination.

The bird species that are most likely to show declines in numbers in response to radiation are those that historically have shown increased mutation rates for other reasons possibly related to DNA repair ability or reduced defenses against oxidative stress.

Neurological development is impacted as evidenced by depressed brain size in both birds and rodents and consequent effects on cognitive ability and survival have been demonstrated in birds.

Deleterious effects of radiation exposure seen in natural populations in Chernobyl include increased rates of cataracts, tumors, growth abnormalities, deformed sperm, and albinism.

Tree growth and microbial decomposition in the soil are also depressed in areas of high radiation, reducing food and nutrients for plants and animals

Observations in Fukushima

Birds, butterflies, and cicadas showed significant declines during the first summer following the accident. The first signs of developmental abnormalities have been observed in birds in 2013, although significant genetic damage has not yet been documented for birds or rodents.

There is considerable variability among species in their sensitivity to radionuclides. Many species are not affected, and a few species even appear to increase in numbers in areas of high contamination in both Chernobyl and Fukushima, presumably in response to competitive release (i.e. more available food and shelter) and fewer predators.

Many species show evidence of genetic damage stemming from acute exposures and the differences observed between Fukushima and Chernobyl suggests some species may show the consequences of mutation accumulation over multiple generations.

Of Canaries, and Coal Mines

When speaking with Dr. Helen Caldicott in a telephone interview on If You Love This Planet, Tim Mousseau mentions he avoided mushrooms at all times while in the Ukraine, and discusses various subjects ranging from how pollen is quite sensitive to radionuclide contamination to the fact that there was greater strontium amounts in bones of birds and animals examined.

Tim and Helen went on to discuss the amount of radionuclides found in the bird population were directly related to the amount of background radiation, in addition to other behavioural factors such as whether the birds were eating food from the air vs the ground.

Slowed decomposition of leaves and plant matter came with the radiological damage to microbes near the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site. The resulting build up of dry, loose detritus bares three clear and present consequences;

Slower decomposition means less available nutrients, and slower plant growth.

Dry plant matter is flammable and creates wildfires.

Wildfires redistribute contaminants in trees and bio mass.

The candid discussion only furthered the understanding that any radioactive fallout which occurs is going to continue to be prevalent in the global ecosystem until well after, lifetimes after, the initial nuclear event. Adaptation is paramount, and doing nothing will likely make one a statistic. http://radiationprevention.com/myth-chernobyls-ecosystem-restored/#ixzz3dGdpoqFD

June 17, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Japan, Ukraine