Velasquez, M. G. V. (2017). The forest trees of Chernobyl [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien; Diplomatische Akademie Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2017.36985
The thesis reviewed and assessed studies on forest trees inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Eleven studies discussing radiation impact on various levels were evaluated and analysed. Consequences were found in terms of population, cellular and subcellular, genetic and intergenerational impacts. The noticeable recovery of biota in the vicinity of the ChNPP raised the issue of redevelopment and resettlement in areas affected by the fallout. A contrasting opinion offered by scientists stated that visible signs of repair by the biota were not enough indications of recuperation. Forest trees surrounding the V.I. Lenin reactor as a component of the environment that survived the worst of the fallout is a good starting point for discussion but it is not taken as a representative of the whole ecosystem. Results of the study signified that forest trees which did not absorbed the lethal threshold dose employed different mechanisms including morphological and physiological means to limit the damage. The low intensity of mutation found in specimens exposed to either high acute or chronic or both types of radiation suggested that defense mechanisms that do not excessively rearrange DNA were preferred over other repair systems. The strong relationship between mutability and sterility is interpreted as protecting strongly damaged genetic material from being passed on to future generations. Assessment of other environmental components is further recommended.
