ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: RESEARCHES IN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Some studies for radiological protection of the environment have been made at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). Transfers of radionuclides and related elements have been investigated for dose estimation of non-human biota. A parameter database and radionuclide transfer models have been also developed for the Japanese environments. Dose (rate)-effect relationships for survival, growth and reproduction have been investigated in conifers, Arabidopsis, fungi, earthworms, springtails, algae, duckweeds, daphnia and medaka. Also genome-wide gene expression analysis has been carried out by High Coverage Expression Profiling (HiCEP). Effects on aquatic microbial communities have been studied in experimental ecosystem models, i.e., microcosms. Some effects were detected at a dose rate of 1.2 Gy day-1 and were likely to arise from interspecies interactions. The results obtained at NIRS have contributed to construction of frameworks for environmental protection by some international bodies, and will contribute to environmental protection in Japan and other Asian countries