New Found Effects of Chernobyl Radiation Damage

By: Jessica Robertson

Most of the world is still profoundly aware of the saddening effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. When the Ukrainian nuclear power plant exploded, clouds of radioactive particles traveled across Europe and the western Soviet Union. At least 31 people were killed in the accident itself, and the cases of cancer and deformities that resulted from the contamination are innumerable. Like the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, the Chernobyl accident was classified as having the maximum contamination level on the International Nuclear Event Scale; these are the only two events to ever classify so high on the scale.

            Recent studies into the ecosystem surrounding the Chernobyl accident site show that radiation continues to affect the bio system. Trees that had been killed by the initial blast when the accident occurred are still lying intact; the fact that there is hardly any evident decomposition of the trees is extremely unusual. Conducting tests for nine months with plant material and different levels of exposure to radiation, researchers found that the more radiation that plant material was exposed to, the less it decomposed over time.

            The researchers came to the logical conclusion that the radiation hinders – and at higher doses, kills – the bacteria and fungi that are typically responsible for the decomposition of plant material. The radiation also showed a smaller effect on other organisms, like termites, that also contribute to the decomposition process. Indirectly, the radiation slows new plant growth; as the decomposition process slows, fewer nutrients are restored to the soil to feed young plants.

            Researchers are interested to continue tracking life in the ecosystem, including microbes, plant life, and animals that rely on plants for nutrition. The accumulation of dry plant material is concerning due to the fire hazard it creates. After nearly two decades, the Chernobyl catastrophe still must remain in our thoughts to help reduce its devastating impacts and to guide us to how best to address the more recent nuclear disaster in Japan.