DNA damage and radiocesium in channel catfish from Chernobyl

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620150706· OSTI ID:268010

Sugg, D W; Brooks, J A; Jagoe, C H; Smith, M H; Chesser, R K ^[1]; Bickham, J W ^[2]; Lomakin, M D ^[3]; Dallas, C E ^[4]; Baker, R J ^[5]

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1. Univ. of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Lab., Aiken, SC (United States). Div. of Wildlife Ecology and Toxicology
2. Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
3. International Research and Development Agency, Kiev (Ukraine)
4. Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA (United States). Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology
5. Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX (United States). Dept. of Biological Sciences

The explosion of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant resulted in some of the most radioactively contaminated habitats on earth. Despite evacuation of all human inhabitants from the most contaminated areas, animals and plants continue to thrive in these areas. This study examines the levels of contamination and genetic damage associated with cesium-137 in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) from the cooling pond and a control site. In general, catfish from the cooling pond exhibit greater genetic damage, and the amount of damage is related to the concentration of radiocesium in individual fish. Genetic damage is primarily in the form of DNA strand breaks, with few micronuclei being observed in contaminated fish. The possible roles that acclimation and adaption play in the response to high levels of radiation exposure are discussed.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 268010
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 15; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
CESIUM 137
CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FISHES
GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIOINDUCTION
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
STRAND BREAKS
UKRAINE
UPTAKE