A case study in the Chernobyl zone Part 2: Predicting radiation induced effects in biota

¹ Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK, e-mail: nab@ceh.ac.uk
² Jones Building, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool L69 3GS, UK
³ Westlakes Research Institute, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3LN, UK
⁴ Environment Agency, Richard Fairclough House, Knutsford Rd.,Warrington WA4 1HG, UK
⁵ SPA “TYPHOON", 82 Lenin Av., Obnisk, Kaluga Region 249038, Russia
⁶ GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Radiation Protection, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
⁷ International Radioecology Laboratory, ICC, Post Box 151, Slavutych, Kiev District 07100, Ukraine

Abstract

In this paper we use the FASSET framework to estimate absorbed dose rates for biota within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The estimated doses are compared to observed biological effects within the Chernobyl exclusion zone and effects expected from summaries of existing knowledge and the extent of contamination. Although paucity of observations under conditions of chronic irradiation makes direct comparison difficult, the biological effects observed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone over the period considered here (1988-2003) are broadly in agreement with those which may have been expected.