[Evaluation of the partial contribution of naturally occurring radionuclides and nonradioactive chemically toxic elements in formation of biological effects within the Vicia cracca population inhabiting the area contaminated with uranium-radium production wastes in the Komi Republic].

The site contaminated with uranium-radium production wastes in the Komi Republic was studied. The activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 228Th, 238U, 230Th, 232Th, 210Po, and 210Pb), as well as concentrations of nonradioactive chemically toxic elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, As, V, Mo, Sr, Y, and Ba) in the soil samples from the experimental site is 10-183 times higher than reference levels. A chronic exposure to alpha-emitters and nonradioactive chemically toxic elements causes adverse effects in tufted vetch (Vacia cracca L.) both at the cellular (aberration of chromosomes) and population (decrease in the reproductive ability) levels. Radionuclides are the main contributors to the decrease in the reproductive capacity and an increase in the level of the cytogenetic damage in root tip cells of tufted vetch seedlings. As and Pb significantly influence the reproductive capacity of plants. Sr, Zn, Y and P modify the biological effects caused by exposure to radionuclides. Moreover, P and Zn reduce the adverse effects of radionuclides; however, Sr and Y enhance these effects.

Effects of long-term chronic exposure to radionuclides in plant populations.

The results of field studies carried out on different plant species (winter rye and wheat, spring barley, oats, Scots pine, wild vetch, crested hairgrass) in various radioecological situations (nuclear weapon testing, the Chernobyl accident, uranium and radium processing) to investigate the effects of long-term chronic exposure to radionuclides are discussed. Plant populations growing in areas with relatively low levels of pollution are characterized by an increased level of both cytogenetic disturbances and genetic diversity. Although ionizing radiation causes primary damage at the molecular level, there are emergent effects at the level of populations, non-predictable from the knowledge of elementary mechanisms of cellular effects formation. Accumulation of cellular alterations may afterward influence biological parameters important for populations such as health and reproduction. Presented data provide evidence that in plant populations inhabiting heavily contaminated territories cytogenetic damage could be accompanied by a decrease in reproductive capacity. However, in less contaminated sites, because of the scarcity of data available, a steady relationship between cytogenetic effects and reproductive capacity was not revealed. Under radioactive contamination of the plant's environment, a population's resistance to exposure may increase. However, there are radioecological situations where an enhanced radioresistance has not evolved or has not persisted.

[An assessment of relative contribution of DNA reparation and glutathione-dependent pathway of detoxification in response of Chlorella algae to uranium].

Toxicity of 238U (as uranyl nitrate) in the range of 0.04-84 micromol/L for Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris Beijerink) was investigated. The best approximation for relationship between the toxic effect in Chlorella and 238U Concentrations is observed using the hormetic Brain-Cousens model. A significant increase in Chlorella biomass, estimated as the optical density of suspension, as well as the level of fluorescence of chlorophyll was observed in the range of 17-29 micromol/L with the maximum at a 23 micromol/L. It was found that 38 micromol/L of 238U induced a significant toxic effect; while at 53 micromol/L inhibition of Chlorella biomass by 50% was observed. According to our observations, the toxic effect of low concentrations of 238U was increased in the presence of 0.02 micromol/L caffeine (used as inhibitor of DNA repair processes) or DL-buthionine-(S, R)-sulfoximine (used as a selective inhibitor of the key glutathione biosynthetic pathway).

[Radiation risk assessment for plant reference species (Pinus sylvestris and Vicia cracca) from the area of radium production waste storage].

The risk of an enhanced level of radionuclides of the uranium and thorium decay series in the environment for reference plant species (Pinus sylvestris and Vicia cracca) was assessed. 238U, 230Th, 226Ra, 210Po, 232Th and 228Th concentration factors for plants were found to be lower than one. The aboveground parts of Vicia cracca sampled from the area of the radium production waste storage mainly accumulated 22Ra, Pinus sylvestris branches--210Pb, 226Ra and 210Po. LOEDR calculated for the chromosome aberration frequency in both plant studies was 17-71 microGy/h. LOERD values for the reproductive capacity decrease in P. sylvestris and V. cracca were 17-71 microGy/h and 116-258 microGy/h, correspondingly. EDR10 for the chromosome aberration frequency in P. sylvestris and V. cracca were 148 and 347 microGy/h, that is, correspondingly, 255 and 708 times higher that background values. EDR10 for the plant reproductive capacity was 11-34 microGy/h, which 19-69 times increases the background values.

[Regularities of lateral distribution of uranium and thorium decay series radionuclides in the anthropogenically changed soils from the area of radium production waste storage].

Cartographical investigations of the territory of radium production waste storage has shown some changes in lateral differentiation of radionuclides of uranium and thorium decay series to occur during 27 years (1981-2008). Those changes are caused mostly by flat denudation typical for fluvial terrace. At present radionuclides of uranium and thorium decay series are concentrated mostly in flood lands and relief depressions. At the same time, decrease in the radionuclide activity concentration in 0-20 cm soil layer is observed with changes in lateral distribution. Total stocks of 226Ra, 210Pb and 210Po within catena soils studied in the northern and southern parts of the waste storage decreased 3-6 times, 238U - 2 times, and did not significantly change in case of 232Th during 27 years. Nonetheless, most of the samples studied are referred to radioactive waste both according to Russian standards (SPORO-2002) and IAEA safety norms (IAEA, 2004).

Estimation of radioactive contamination of soils from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" technical areas of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.

In spite of the long history of the research, radioactive contamination of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site (SNTS) in the Republic of Kazakhstan has not been adequately characterized. Our cartographic investigation has demonstrated highly variable radioactive contamination of the SNTS. The Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154, Co-60, and Am-241 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Balapan" site were 42.6-17646, 96-18250, 1.05-11222, 0.6-4865, 0.23-4893, and 1.2-1037 Bq kg(-1), correspondingly. Cs-137 and Sr-90 activity concentrations in soil samples from the "Experimental field" site were varied from 87 up to 400 and from 94 up to 1000 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Activity concentrations of Co-60, Eu-152, and Eu-154 were lower than the minimum detectable activity of the method used. Concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226, U-238, and Th-232) in the majority of soil samples from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites did not exceed typical for surrounding of the SNTS areas levels. Estimation of risks associated with radioactive contamination based on the IAEA clearance levels for a number of key radionuclides in solid materials shows that soils sampled from the "Balapan" and the "Experimental field" sites might be considered as radioactive wastes. Decrease in specific activity of soil from the sites studied up to safety levels due to Co-60, Cs-137, Sr-90, Eu-152, Eu-154 radioactive decay and Am-241 accumulation-decay will occur not earlier than 100 years. In contrast, soils from the "Experimental field" and the "Balapan" sites (except 0.5-2.5 km distance from the "Chagan" explosion point) cannot be regarded as the radioactive wastes according safety norms valid in Russia and Kazakhstan.

[Assessment of soil degradation in regions of nuclear power explosions at Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site].

Degree of the soil cover degradation at the "Balapan" and "Experimental field" test sites was assessed based on Allium-test of soil toxicity results and international guidelines on radioactive restriction of solid materials (IAEA, 2004) and environment (Smith, 2005). Soil cover degradation maps of large-scale (1 : 25000) were made. The main part of the area mapped belongs to high-contaminated toxic degraded soil. A relationship between the soil toxicity and the total radionuclide activity concentrations was found to be described by power functions. When the calculated value (equal to 413-415 Bq/kg of air dry soil) increases, the soil becomes toxic for plants. This value is 7.8 times higher than the maximal value for background territories (53 Bq/kg) surrounding SNTS. Russian sanitary and hygienic guidelines (Radiation safety norms, 2009; Sanitary regulations of radioactive waste management, 2003) underestimate the degree of soil radioactive contamination for plants.

[The assessment of no adverse effect doses for plant populations chronically exposed to radionuclides of uranium and thorium decay series].

Dose rates cause no adverse effects on natural populations of Pinus sylvestris L. and Vicia cracca L. inhabiting territories contaminated by uranium mill tailings and radium production wastes (Vodny settlement, Komi Republic) were determined. A significant increase in embryonic lethal mutation frequency in V. cracca legumes and decrease in seedlings survival rate as compared with control values were registered at dose rate equal to 1.67 mGy/day, that is 280 times higher than the one calculated for the reference site. The adverse effects in P. sylvestris expressed in increased frequency of chromosome aberrations in meristematic root tips and decreased reproductive capacity of seeds were determined at absorbed dose rate equal to 0.083 mGy/day. Data obtained show that the decrease in plant reproductive capacity in case of chronic exposure of radionuclides of uranium and thorium decay series can observe at lower weighted absorbed dose rates than in case of environmental contamination by artificial radionuclides.

Comparative estimation of 232Th and stable Ce (III) toxicity and detoxification pathways in freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris.

The impacts of radiological and chemical toxicity from naturally occurring radionuclides are discussed in the context of protecting freshwater ecosystems from radiation exposure. The present study aimed to determine the toxicity of (232)Th and it stable chemical analogue Ce to the green alga Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck (thermophilic strain). Parameters of the regression equation for the concentration-effect relationship and concomitant Effective concentration (50%), EC(50), showed that (232)Th was more toxic to chlorella after a 24-h exposure than Ce. However, the No-observable-effect concentration (NOEC) and Lowest-observable-effect concentration (LOEC) for (232)Th were approximately equal to those for Ce. NOEC, LOEC and EC(50) for (232)Th were 1.6 µM, 2.2 µM and 15.4 respectively. Those for Ce were 1.8, 2.1 and 35.7 µM respectively. Consideration of the results obtained suggests differences in the main detoxification pathways of (232)Th and Ce (III). It was found that 0.02 mM caffeine (used as DNA metabolism disturbance reagent) has no effect on Ce toxic action, but 0.02 mM BSO (as a selective inhibitor of γ-ECS, a glutathione biosynthetic pathway enzyme) enhanced it. In contrast, 0.02 mM caffeine significantly increased the toxic action of (232)Th, but 0.02 mM BSO has no effect on it. The peculiarities mentioned were suggested to be caused by differences in the physicochemical properties of the elements. The combined potential detrimental effect of (232)Th acting both as a radiation source (α-, ß- and γ-emitter) and a chemically toxic element is discussed.

[Impact of small molecules on intermolecular interactions underlying the ligand technologies in laboratory diagnosis].

Hydrogen peroxide has been found to have a distorting effect on the quality of determination of the serological markers of hepatitis B and C, transglutaminase antibodies: an increase in the percent of false higher (anti-HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HCV) and false lower (anti-HBeAg) values, and on the results of PCR-based diagnosis (PCR inhibition that was more pronounced especially in low viremia). A possibility of interference of measurement results in the blood metabolite pool should be taken into account in the use of high-technology methods of laboratory analysis. In particular, there may be changes in the detection of immunological and molecular biological methods in hyperpyruvatemia and hyperoxaloacetatemia, with elevated peroxide concentrations during pathological processes.