Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volume I and II

1046 RADIATION ECOLOGY

in this preserve to assess the long-term impacts, if any, on the

resident flora and fauna.

To the Soviets’ credit, they have recognized both the

need and the opportunity to obtain data on the long-term

effects of ionizing radiation on plant and animal populations

as manifested through genetic mechanisms. To this end,

they have established experimental facilities at the accident

site to carry out this research. Radioecologists have long

recognized the need for hard data on the long-term conse-

quences of exposure to chronic radiation to populations of

organisms. Little is known about the interaction of ionizing

radiation and environmental stress on populations that are

subject to competitive pressures, predation, and other fac-

tors that affect survival. We need to be concerned with the

effects that a buildup of radionuclides in the environment

would have on the eventual fate of the organisms inhabiting

such an environment.

Thus, despite the current lack of attention given to

research issues in radiation ecology in the United States,

much can be learned by collaborating with scientists in

Europe and Asia who are now engaged in investigating the

fates and effects of radioactive substances deposited from

the Chernobyl accident.

REFERENCES

1. Lansdell, Norman, The Atom and the Energy Revolution, Philosophical
   Library, New York, 1958.


2. Curtis, Richard and Elizabeth Hogan, Perils of the Peaceful Atom, Dou-
   bleday and Co., New York, 1970.


3. Bryerton, Gene, Nuclear Dilemma, Ballantine, New York, 1970.


4. Ravelle, Roger et al., The ocean. Scientific American, September 1969.


5. Russell, R. Scott et al., Radioactivity and Human Diet. Pergamon Press,
   London, 1966.


6. Auerbach, Stanley I. A Perspective on Radioecological Research, J.
   Soc. Radiol. Prot. 4 (3): 100–105, 1984.


7. Izrael, Yu, A. et al., Ecological Consequences of Radioactive Contami-
   nation of the Environment in the Chernobyl Emergency Zone. Moscow,
   1987.


8. Peterson, R. C., Jr., et al., Assessment of the Impact of the Chernobyl
   Reactor Accident on the Biota of Swedish Streams and Lakes, Ambio
   15 (6): 327–334, 1986.


9. BIOMOVS Progress Report No. 6 Swedish National Institute for Radi-
   ation Protection, Stockholm, 1988.


10. International Atomic Energy Agency. Coordinated Research Project on
    the Validation of Terrestrial, Aquatic, and Urban Radionuclide Transfer
    Models and Acquisition of Data for that Purpose. IAEA, Vienna.

STANLEY I. AUERBACH

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT: see MANAGEMENT OF

RADIOACTIVE WASTE

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