USC Chernobyl Research Initiative

USC Chernobyl Research Initiative

Program Directors:

Timothy A. Mousseau Anders Pape Møller

Professor of Biological Sciences CNRS

Associate Dean for Research Université Pierre et Marie Curie

College of Arts and Sciences Paris, France

803-777-1934; 803-777-8047 + 33 1 44 27 25 94

cell: 803-920-7704 amoller@snv.jussieu.fr

mousseau@sc.edu

Program Coordinator in Ukraine

Dr. Gennadi Milinevsky

National Taras Shevchenko

University of Kyiv

Kyiv, Ukraine

Tel: +38 044 5264457,

Mob: +38 050 3525498

Fax: +38 044 5264507

E-mail: genmilinevsky@gmail.com

E-mail: gmilin@univ.kiev.ua

Photos related to USC's Chernobyl activities - http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/chernobyl/photos-chernobyl.htm

Since 1998 USC has actively sponsored research related to the long term ecological and health consequences of the low level radiation that was dispersed over vast expanses of Europe. Investigators at USC have obtained funding from a variety of extramural sources including NSF, National Geographic, CRDF, and other private foundations and have published several seminal papers concerning the impacts of low level radioactive contaminants on ecological systems. This research is important for the understanding of long term consequences of radiation for ecosystem and human health and will be instrumental in predicting the environmental half-lives of these contaminants. This research is of significance for hazard assessment related to industrial, military or terrorist nuclear incidents.

Summary of principal findings to date that are published, in press or submitted (see attached list for citations):

1) Surveys of bird populations indicate that mutation loads in natural populations are much higher than in uncontaminated areas.

2) Literature reviews indicate that mutation rates in many different species of plants and animals (including humans) are higher than in control regions.

3) Chernobyl populations exhibit a wide variety of morphological deformities that are not found in any normal population.

4) Surveys of birds, insects, and spiders indicate that many species are either absent or in very low numbers in the Chernobyl region. Brightly colored and migratory species of birds appear to be particularly sensitive to radioactive contaminants.

5) Studies of birds indicate that some species may only persist in the contaminated regions via immigration from uncontaminated areas. Without this immigration, perceived impacts would be even higher than current projections. Media reports of a “healthy” Chernobyl environment with rare species of birds and mammals are likely the result of immigrants and not locally sustained populations.

6) Population and community studies suggest that antioxidants (e.g. vitamins A and E, and carotenoids) may provide protection against the mutagenic effects of radioactive contaminants.

Priorities for future studies

Funding is currently being sought for research in the following area:

1) Chernobyl Ecosystem Studies

USC now has a well established, internationally recognized track record of basic ecological and environmental studies of Chernobyl, with seven years of baseline data for several species. Funding is needed to continue our monitoring of primary study populations and expand our coverage to include additional affected populations in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Our goals are to rigorously assess population and community dynamics for birds, insects and plants with the ultimate aim of predicting ecosystem recovery times following nuclear incidents. In addition, we are developing methods for rapid assessment of environmental impacts on DNA, populations and communities that will be invaluable for monitoring following other incidents. Preliminary data indicate that the Chernobyl ecosystem is presently improving and continued monitoring is essential for the development management plans related to nuclear incidents in the future.

Publications from USC Chernobyl Research:

1) Anecdotes and Empirical Research in Chernobyl: Reply to Jim Smith. It has been suggested that health and environmental effects related to Chernobyl are much less than expected. Unfortunately, so few studies have been conducted and published that it is too early to state with any confidence what the larger scale and longer term consequences of low dose radiation might be. Of more concern are the claims that Chernobyl is a thriving ecosystem with many rare species returning to the zone. These reports are largely unfounded or based on unscientific anecdotal observations. Our studies, though limited, strongly suggest that there may be much larger effects than predicted.

A.P. Moller, T.A. Mousseau, F. de Lope & N. Saino. 2007. Anecdotes and empirical research in Chernobyl. Biology Letters of the Royal Society, in press.

2) Species Richness and Abundance of Forest Birds in Relation to Radiation at Chernobyl. This paper reports on a community analysis of species richness and total abundance in relation to background radiation levels in the Chernobyl region of Ukraine. This may be the first systematic analysis of community level effects ever reported. The principle findings were that species richness declined by over 50% with increasing contamination levels, with species feeding. Total abundance of birds decreased by about 66% between the most contaminated sites and site with typical (control) background radiation levels. Interestingly, birds that typically feed on terrestrial insects were most likely to show reduced numbers or be absent from the most contaminated areas.

A.P. Moller, T.A. Mousseau. 2007. Species richness and abundance of forest birds in relation to radiation at Chernobyl. Biology Letters of the Royal Society 3: 483-486.

3) Determinants of Interspecific Variation in Population Declines of Birds after Exposure to Radiation at Chernobyl. This paper reports on a community analysis of bird species that appear to experience disproportionately higher population depression in response to radioactive contaminants in the Chernobyl zone. The main findings are that brightly colored and migratory bird species are most likely to be absent or in low numbers in the more contaminated regions of the Chernobyl Zone. This is perhaps the first rigorous analysis of community level consequences of radioactive contaminants.

A.P. Moller, T.A Mousseau. 2007. Determinants of Interspecific Variation in Population Declines of Birds after Exposure to Radiation at Chernobyl. Journal of Applied Ecology, in press.

4) Elevated Frequency of Abnormalities in Barn Swallows from Chernobyl: This paper reports on the numbers and diversity of morphological abnormalities found in Chernobyl populations of barn swallow when compared to control populations in Ukraine, Italy, Spain and Denmark. This is possibly the first comprehensive survey of abnormalities in natural populations and suggests that the elevated mutation rates seen in Chernobyl populations are generating significant numbers of morphological defects.

A.P. Moller, T.A. Mousseau, F. de Lope, and N. Saino. 2007. Elevated frequency of abnormalities in barn swallows from Chernobyl. Biology Letters of the Royal Society.

5) Children from Chernobyl Show Depressed Numbers of Red Blood Cells, Leukocytes and Platelets: This paper explores a unique dataset of children born and living in the Narodichesky region of Ukraine, a region that is moderately contaminated. This is the first comprehensive analysis of this unique group of children and this paper represents the first of a series that investigate many non-cancer morbidities observed in this population.

E. Stepanova, W. Karmaus, M. Naboka, V. Vdovenko, T.A. Mousseau, V.M. Shestopalov, W. Drane, J. Vena, D. Underhill, and H. Pastides. Radioactive exposure from the Chernobyl accident had an adverse effect on red blood cells, leukocyte, and platelets in children in the Narodichesky region, Ukraine – a prospective study. Submitted 2007.

6) Birds Prefer to Breed in Sites With Low Radioactivity in Chernobyl. This paper describes experiments designed to examine nest site choice in two species of birds inhabiting the highly contaminated Red Forest near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

A.P. Moller, T.A Mousseau . 2007. Birds prefer to breed in sites with low radioactivity in Chernobyl. Proceedings of the Royal Society, 274:1443-1448.

Photo of nest box locations in the Red Forest of Chernobyl.

7) Objections to the Chernobyl Forum Report: The official UN Chernobyl Forum report significantly underestimated the likely deaths from cancers in human populations of Europe. The UN predicts 4000 deaths, but reanalysis of the same data indicates that death rates will certainly exceed 9000, with 30,000 – 60,000 very likely. Mousseau et al. (2005) were the first to voice their objections to the Chernobyl Forum Report.

Mousseau, T.A., N. Nelson, & V. Shestopalov. 2005. Don’t underestimate the death rate from Chernobyl. NATURE 437: 1089.

And, for related information, see The Other Report on Chernobyl (TORCH).

8) Review of Genetic Damage to Many Species: Mousseau and Moller’s reviews of other research have found more than 20 species that show genetic damage as a consequence of Chernobyl contaminants. This is the first systematic review of the genetic consequences of low dose radiation in a natural environment and suggests that such damage may be extensive.

A.P. Møller, T. A. Mousseau. 2006. Biological consequences of Chernobyl: 20 years after the disaster. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 21:200-207.

9) Survival and Reproduction are Dramatically Reduced in Chernobyl Swallows: Because barn swallows return to the same nest year after year it is possible to track individual survival. And, since these birds make their nests inside barns, it is possible to examine individual reproductive rates and offspring survival. We have found that survival rates close the reactor in the most contaminated sites are close to zero. In areas of moderate contamination, annual survival is less than 15- 25% (versus about 40% in control populations from Ukraine, Spain, Italy and Denmark). Chernobyl populations also show dramatically reduced reproductive rates and lower offspring survival. This is perhaps the only published study that attempts to address questions of reproduction and survival for any species in the Chernobyl Zone. There has been virtually no other research of this type, probably due to the lack of funding for this sort of research.

A.P. Møller, T. A. Mousseau, G. Milinevsky, A. Peklo, E. Pysanets and T. Szép. 2005. Condition, reproduction and survival of barn swallows from Chernobyl. Journal of Animal Ecology, 74: 1102-1111.

10) Stable Isotope Analyses Indicate Chernobyl Populations are Sinks: Using high tech geochemical approaches, we have determined that the Chernobyl barn swallow populations are only sustained via immigration from adjacent, uncontaminated populations. Using stable isotope analyses on current and past specimens (from museums) we have inferred that current Chernobyl populations are composed of a more diverse group of individuals (i.e. immigrants) than is observed in control populations or in populations collected from the Chernobyl region prior to the disaster.

A.P. Møller, K. A. Hobson, T. A. Mousseau and A. M. Peklo. 2006. Chernobyl as a population sink for barn swallows: Tracking dispersal using stable isotope profiles. Ecological Applications 16:1696-1705

11) Antioxidants, Radiation and Mutations: Investigations of individual birds have revealed that in areas of high contamination, antioxidants (i.e. vitamins A and E, and carotenoids) are depressed. Depressed antioxidants appear related to increased mutation rates (as has been found in many other species, including humans). In Chernobyl barn swallows, depressed antioxidants are associated with dramatically increased rates of defects in sperm, a phenomenon linked to depressed fertility in many species.

Møller, A. P., Surai, P., and T. A. Mousseau. 2004. Antioxidants, radiation and mutations in barn swallows from Chernobyl. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, 272:247-252.

12) Mutation in Morphological Characters: It has also been observed that the sort of characters that seem most affected by increased mutation rates are those that may be very important to reproductive behavior in barn swallows.

Møller, A. P., and T. A. Mousseau. 2003. Mutation and sexual selection: A test using barn swallows from Chernobyl. Evolution, 57: 2139-2146.

13) Albinism in Chernobyl Barn Swallows: Mousseau and colleagues have investigated the consequences of elevated mutations in barn swallow populations living in the contaminated regions of Ukraine. The principle findings are that there are many visible mutations observed, including dramatically increased rates of partial albinos. The expression of this mutation, which is analogous to vitiligo in humans, is likely related to depressed antioxidants observed in these birds.

Møller, A. P. and T. A. Mousseau . 2001. Albinism and phenotype of barn swallows Hirundo rustica from Chernobyl. Evolution, 55 (10): 2097-2104.

Highlights of Recent Press Coverage of USC’s Chernobyl Research:

1) The New York Times: Did Chernobyl Leave an Eden for Wildlife? (Henry Fountain) August 28, 2007.

2) The Economist: Plumes and Plumage: Sexual selection and Chernobyl (12 July 2007).

3) Science News: Chernobyl Hits Birds Hard (Krista Zala), 12 July 2007.

4) News @ Nature: Chernobyl birds are better off drab and lazy (Louis Buckley), 11 July 2007:

5) Cosmos: Colourful birds hardest hit at Chernobyl (July 13, 2007)(Liz Williams)

6) Los Angeles Times: For Chernobyl birds, color is a curse (Amber Dance), July 14, 2007:

7) UPI: Radiation affects brightly colored birds (July 11, 2007):

8) The Science Daily: Brightly Colored Birds Most Affected By Chernobyl Radiation. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070711105732.htm

9) Reuters: Dull birds fared better after Chernobyl: study.(Michael Kahn): http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL1076096720070711

10) Yahoo: Migratory birds more susceptible to Chernobyl like radiation, says study. (ANI): http://in.news.yahoo.com/070711/139/6hx4f.html

11) The Guardian: Brighter birds more at risk from Chernobyl fallout. (Ian Sample), 11 July 2007: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,2123409,00.html

12) Dziennik (Poland): Ptaki nie śpiewają w Czarnobylu. http://www.dziennik.pl/Default.aspx?TabId=255&ShowArticleId=52218

13) Live Science: Nuclear Accidents Kill Brightly Colored Birds Most. http://www.livescience.com/animals/070711_birds_radiation.html

14) Speigel: Roten und gelben Vögeln schadet Radioaktivität am moisten. http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/0,1518,493623,00.html

15) Villaggio Globale. Le radiazioni nucleari colpiscono di più gli uccelli colorati. (12 July 2007). http://www.vglobale.it/NewsRoom/index.php?News=3436

16) Science a GoGo: Chernobyl Radiation Affecting The Brightest Of The Bunch. http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20070610224537data_trunc_sys.shtml

17) Birdwatch Magazine: Chernobyl radiation affects brightly coloured birds most. (12 July 2007): http://birdwatchmagazine.blogspot.com/2007/07/chernobyl-radiations-affects-brightly.html

18) China View: Study: Brightly colored birds most affected by Chernobyl radiation. (July 12, 2007)(Sun Yunlong). http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-07/12/content_6364049.htm

19) Times Online: Survival of the Dullest at Chernobyl. (Mark Henderson)(July 11, 2007). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article2056303.ece

20) USC News: University researcher: Brightly colored birds affected most by Chernobyl disaster (July 13, 2007). http://uscnews.sc.edu/ASCI_BIOL197.html

21) The Associate Press: Chernobyl Area Becomes Wildlife Haven. (Douglas Birch), 7 June 2007. This piece by Douglas Birch, AP Moscow Bureau Chief, was republished by more than 70 newspapers worldwide.. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/07/AR2007060701315_pf.html.

22) Suite101: Chernobyl Birds Endure Radiation. (Rosemary Drisdelle)(May 11, 2007): http://birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/chernobyl_birds_endure_radiation

23) The National Geographic: Chernobyl Birds' Defects Link Radiation, Not Stress, to Human Ailments. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/070418-chernobyl-birds.html

24) Nuclear Monitor: Chernobyl Disease: Stress or Radiation? (WISE May3, 2007). http://www.nirs.org/mononline/nm655.pdf

25) The New Scientist: Chernobyl alert over birth defects: http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/mg19426003.900-chernobyl-alert-over-birth-defects.html

26) The CBC's "As It Happens" show (April 3, 2007): http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20070403.shtml

Click here for an mp3 of this interview: http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/cbc-as-it-happens-mousseau-chernobyl.mp3

27) The New Scientist (March 28, 2007): http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11473-chernobylbased-birds-avoid-radioactive-nests.html

28) Mongabat.com: Chernobyl birds prefer to breed in sites with low radioactivity. (April 3, 2007)(Rhett A, Butler). http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0403-chernobyl.html

29) The State Newspaper: Smart Birds Might Teach Lesson. http://www.thestate.com/123/story/30771.html

30) The CBC’s Quirk’s and Quarks show: http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/archives/05-06/apr29.html

31) The BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4923220.stm

32) The New Scientist: http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/chernobyl/papers/new-scientist.htm

33) The International Edition of the Readers Digest: http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/chernobyl/papers/ReadersDigest.pdf

34) Discover Magazine: http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/chernobyl/papers/discover-chernobyl3.jpg

35) National Public Radio - Living on Earth: http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=06-P13-00016&segmentID=2

36) USC Press Release: http://uscnews.sc.edu/asci-biol096.html

37) The State Newspaper April 26^th: http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/chernobyl/papers/TheState-apr26-06.pdf or http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14429236.htm

38) The National Geographic: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0426_060426_chernobyl.html

39) The Sivacracy Blog: http://www.nyu.edu/classes/siva/archives/003036.html

40) TBO News: http://www.tbo.com/news/scitech/MGBFZB9XDME.html