Radiation effects in wild terrestrial vertebrates - the EPIC collection

The paper presents data on radiation effects in populations of wild vertebrate animals inhabiting contaminated terrestrial ecosystems. The data were extracted from the database "Radiation effects on biota", compiled within the framework of the EC Project EPIC (2000-2003). The data collection, based on publications in Russian, demonstrates radiation effects in the areas characterized with high levels of radionuclides (Kyshtym radioactive trace; "spots" of enhanced natural radioactivity in the Komi region of Russia; territories contaminated from the Chernobyl fallout). The data covers a wide range of exposures from acute accidental irradiation to lifetime exposures at relatively low dose rates. Radiation effects include mortality, changes in reproduction, decrease of health, ecological effects, cytogenetic effects, adaptation to radiation, and others. Peculiarities of radiation effects caused by different radionuclides are described, also the severity of effects as they appear in different organisms (e.g. mice, frogs, birds, etc.).     

Organotin contamination in the Atlantic Ocean off the Iberian Peninsula in relation to shipping

Imposex in female snails, a bioindicator of TBT contamination, and the presence of organotins in snails' tissue and sediments were studied at nine sites off the western Iberian Peninsula. The study was part of a European project (acronym HIC-TBT) co-financed by the EU-LIFE programme, intending to investigate and communicate the impact of organotins from ships in marine ecosystems. Snails and sediments were sampled during two cruises in May/June 1999 and in January 2000 in areas of high, intermediate and low-shipping density. Imposex was found in female snails from several sampling sites, some of which had an imposex incidence of 100%. Differences in sensitivity were found between species; hence comparison of imposex levels between locations where different species were collected was not straightforward. Total organotin concentrations in sediments (sum of butyl and phenyltin compounds) ranged from 21 to 185 ng Sn g(-1) with higher values for most sites sampled in the vicinity of shipping lanes. Organotin concentration in snails' tissue ranged from <5 to 196 ng Sn g(-1), which are similar to those found in snails from other offshore areas contaminated by TBT. Overall, these results give further support to the recent ban on the use of organotin based antifouling paints to all ship size.     

Ion-Radical Conversions in Main or Side Chains of Nitrogen-Containing Polymers in Nitrogen Dioxide Atmosphere

Mechanism of nitrogen dioxide interaction with polymers containing amide and imide groups in the main or side chains of macromolecules (polycaproamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide and polypyromellitimide) is considered. The initiators of conversions of polymers of the given classes are not monoradicals of nitrogen dioxide rather than its equilibrium dimers in the form of nitrosyl nitrate. In primary oxidizing reaction of an electron transfer from donor groups of macromolecules to nitrosyl nitrate, radical cations, nitric oxide and nitrate anion are formed, which in the subsequent reactions give products of nitration and nitrosation. These products are precursors of stable acylalkylaminoxyl, acylarylaminoxyl, iminoxyl macroradicals. The specific interactions of nitrogen dioxide dimers with functional groups of macromolecules determine features of the mechanism of ion-radical conversions of the polymers and the composition of radical and molecular products. The direct detection of radical cations has been realized by ESR method for confirmation of the ion-radical initiation concept using model reaction of nitrogen dioxide with triphenylamine.