Scientists from North Carolina State University and Columbia University School of Public Health concluded that genetic differences between dog populations in the city of Chernobyl and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant were not due to mutations caused by radiation. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
It turned out that dogs living just 16 kilometers away from each other in the Chernobyl zone were genetically different. But scientists found no evidence of the accumulation of genetic mutations even at the level of individual nucleotides. As Professor Matthew Breen explains, mutations that ensure survival when exposed to radiation can persist in the genome. However, no such trace was found.
Despite the absence of mutations, researchers acknowledge the role of natural selection. It is possible that the first generation of dogs that survived the 1986 disaster had genetic traits that increased their chances of survival.
The study also found the impact of factors other than radiation, such as heavy metals, lead dust and pesticides left over from cleaning. These substances can have long-term effects on the health of animals and people living in the exclusion zone. The team also examined ticks collected from dogs and found differences in their distribution and the pathogens they carry.
“Studying such populations provides insight into the potential health risks to humans in environmental disasters,” said Professor Norman Kleiman of Columbia University.
Scientists emphasize the need to further study the impact of major human-caused disasters on the health of living organisms in order to be better prepared for future environmental challenges.
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Source: Gazeta
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