Why did the Chernobyl atomic disaster not kill all plant species?

Chernobyl atomic disaster occurred on April 26, 1986 when Chernobyl atomic plant in Pripyat, Ukraine exploded. This catastrophe caused thousands of people to develop cancer, turning a once-populated area into a ghost city and creating an isolated area of ​​2600km².

But that isolation area still has life. Wolves, wild boars and bears have returned to the lush forests around the old nuclear plant. And plants, except for the most vulnerable and radioactive species, have never been completely destroyed. Even in the most radioactive areas, vegetation also recovered within three years.

A play area was abandoned near the explosion of the Chernobyl plant.

With radiation levels in those places, humans, mammals and birds may be killed many times. So why are plants still resilient to the radiation and nuclear disaster?

To answer this question, we first need to understand how radiation from nuclear reactors affects living cells.

The radioactive material of Chernobyl atomic plant is "unstable" because it continuously emits high-energy particles and waves that break down the cell structure or create reactive chemicals that attack the structure of cells. .

Most parts of the cell can be replaced if destroyed, but DNA is an important exception. If radiation is high, DNA is cut off and cells quickly die. Low radiation can cause damage in the form of mutations that alter the way cells work, such as becoming cancer cells, multiplying uncontrollably and spreading to other parts of the body.

In animals, this often causes death, because animal cells and systems are very specialized and inflexible. Consider animals as a complex machine in which each cell and organ has a specific position and purpose, and all parts must work and coordinate with each other so that the individual exists. People cannot live without the brain, heart or lungs.

However, plants grow in a much more flexible and organic way. Since it is impossible to move, plants have no choice but to adapt to their circumstances. Instead of having a definite structure like animals and plants slowly forming structures over time. Whether plants grow roots deeper or have higher stems depend on the balance of chemical signals from other parts of the plant and "surrounding plant networks" as well as light and temperature conditions. , water and nutrition.

Trees have reclaimed the area around the old nuclear power plant.

It is important that, unlike animal cells, almost all plant cells can produce any new type of cell needed . This is why gardeners can grow new plants from cuttings with roots growing from what used to be stems or leaves.

All this means that plants can replace dead cells or tissues much easier than animals, whether they are caused by animals or by radiation.

And while radiation and other types of DNA damage can cause tumors in plants, mutated cells often cannot spread from one part of the plant to another, like cancer, thanks to tough cell walls. Those tumors are also not fatal in most cases, because plants can find ways to operate around damaged tissues.

The tough cell walls of plants help them fight cancer.

Interestingly, in addition to congenital recovery after radiation exposure, some plants in the Chernobyl disaster isolation area seem to be using additional mechanisms to protect their DNA, rather Change the chemical structure to fight the damage and start the repair system if this doesn't work.

A new life

Life around Chernobyl is currently thriving. Population of many plants and animals is actually much larger than before the disaster.

With the tragic loss and short life of people involved in the Chernobyl disaster, the resurgence of nature can surprise you. Radiation has an extremely damaging effect on plant life and can shorten the life of every plant and animal species. But if life-sustaining resources are plentiful and the damage is not fatal, life will flourish.

Importantly, radiation-induced damage at Chernobyl has been minimized thanks to the benefits of people leaving the area. Now one of the largest natural reserves in Europe, the ecosystem supports more lives than before, even if each individual life cycle is slightly shorter.

In a way, the Chernobyl disaster shows the level of impact on our environment. Although harmful, nuclear disasters are less destructive to local ecosystems than what we do. When away from that area, we create space for the return of nature.

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