Effects of radioactive contamination on Scots pines in the remote period after the Chernobyl accident.

A 6 year study of Scots pine populations inhabiting sites in the Bryansk region of Russia radioactively contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl accident is presented. In six study sites, (137)Cs activity concentrations and heavy metal content in soils, as well as (137)Cs, (90)Sr and heavy metal concentrations in cones were measured. Doses absorbed in reproduction organs of pine trees were calculated using a dosimetric model.

[Biological effects of chronic radiation exposure on plant populations].

The findings from long-term field studies on biological effects in plant populations inhabiting radioactively contaminated territories contrast in levels and compositions of dose-forming radionuclides are presented. Plant populations developing under radioactive impact show enhanced frequencies of gene and chromosome mutations, and their reproductive potential is inferior to reference populations. Even relatively low levels of technogenic impact are able to increase genetic diversity and destroy regularities inherent for intact populations.