Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis

Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystems as a result of anthropogenic disasters poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of the study was to comprehensively analyse the long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems. The methodology incl...

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Main Author: R. Makhinko
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas 2024-12-01
Series:Екологічна безпека та збалансоване ресурсокористування
Subjects:
Online Access:https://esbur.com.ua/journals/t-15-2-2024/dovgostrokovi-naslidki-chornobilskoyi-katastrofi-dlya-vodnikh-ekosistem-retrospektivny-analiz-ta-prognozi
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author R. Makhinko
author_facet R. Makhinko
author_sort R. Makhinko
collection DOAJ
description Radioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystems as a result of anthropogenic disasters poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of the study was to comprehensively analyse the long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems. The methodology included retrospective data analysis, field research, laboratory experiments, and mathematical modelling. The retrospective analysis covered historical data from 1986; field studies included sampling of water, sediments, and biota; laboratory experiments focused on studying the effects of radiation on aquatic organisms; mathematical modelling allowed predicting long-term trends. Changes in aquatic biocoenoses for the period 1986-2024 were analysed. The dynamics of concentrations of basic radionuclides 137Cs, 90Sr, and 241Am in components of aquatic ecosystems, migration processes of radionuclides in the aquatic environment, and their bioaccumulation in organisms of various trophic levels was investigated. Special attention was paid to the impact of chronic radiation pollution on biodiversity, productivity, and genetic structure of aquatic populations. Changes in the species composition and number of key groups of hydrobionts were analysed. Based on long-term data and modern models, forecasts have been developed for the further development of the radioecological situation in the aquatic ecosystems of the exclusion zone until 2070-2090. A set of innovative measures to minimise negative consequences was proposed, including the use of nanotechnologies, genetically modified organisms, and automated monitoring systems. The need for international cooperation and the creation of a global database for long-term management of polluted aquatic ecosystems was substantiated. The results of the study are important for developing strategies for environmental management of radioactively contaminated areas and preparedness for possible future radiation incidents
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2415-3184
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language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas
record_format Article
series Екологічна безпека та збалансоване ресурсокористування
spelling doaj-art-68c1ce2be073433b9e92668a4fd3c01f2025-01-30T14:05:54ZengIvano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and GasЕкологічна безпека та збалансоване ресурсокористування2415-31842522-95082024-12-01152586710.69628/esbur/2.2024.5898Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosisR. MakhinkoRadioactive contamination of aquatic ecosystems as a result of anthropogenic disasters poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of the study was to comprehensively analyse the long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems. The methodology included retrospective data analysis, field research, laboratory experiments, and mathematical modelling. The retrospective analysis covered historical data from 1986; field studies included sampling of water, sediments, and biota; laboratory experiments focused on studying the effects of radiation on aquatic organisms; mathematical modelling allowed predicting long-term trends. Changes in aquatic biocoenoses for the period 1986-2024 were analysed. The dynamics of concentrations of basic radionuclides 137Cs, 90Sr, and 241Am in components of aquatic ecosystems, migration processes of radionuclides in the aquatic environment, and their bioaccumulation in organisms of various trophic levels was investigated. Special attention was paid to the impact of chronic radiation pollution on biodiversity, productivity, and genetic structure of aquatic populations. Changes in the species composition and number of key groups of hydrobionts were analysed. Based on long-term data and modern models, forecasts have been developed for the further development of the radioecological situation in the aquatic ecosystems of the exclusion zone until 2070-2090. A set of innovative measures to minimise negative consequences was proposed, including the use of nanotechnologies, genetically modified organisms, and automated monitoring systems. The need for international cooperation and the creation of a global database for long-term management of polluted aquatic ecosystems was substantiated. The results of the study are important for developing strategies for environmental management of radioactively contaminated areas and preparedness for possible future radiation incidentshttps://esbur.com.ua/journals/t-15-2-2024/dovgostrokovi-naslidki-chornobilskoyi-katastrofi-dlya-vodnikh-ekosistem-retrospektivny-analiz-ta-prognozinuclear accidenthydrobiontsradioactive isotopesaccumulationenvironmental impactradiation ecology
spellingShingle R. Makhinko
Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis
Екологічна безпека та збалансоване ресурсокористування
nuclear accident
hydrobionts
radioactive isotopes
accumulation
environmental impact
radiation ecology
title Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis
title_full Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis
title_fullStr Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis
title_full_unstemmed Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis
title_short Long-term consequences of the Chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems: A retrospective analysis and prognosis
title_sort long term consequences of the chornobyl disaster for aquatic ecosystems a retrospective analysis and prognosis
topic nuclear accident
hydrobionts
radioactive isotopes
accumulation
environmental impact
radiation ecology
url https://esbur.com.ua/journals/t-15-2-2024/dovgostrokovi-naslidki-chornobilskoyi-katastrofi-dlya-vodnikh-ekosistem-retrospektivny-analiz-ta-prognozi
work_keys_str_mv AT rmakhinko longtermconsequencesofthechornobyldisasterforaquaticecosystemsaretrospectiveanalysisandprognosis