Researchers have discovered that for songbird species in Chernobyl, radiation levels do not seem to affect the gut bacteria.
A team from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland studied two songbird species in Chernobyl: great tit (Parus major) and collared flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). “Our hypothesis is that the ecological diversity in polluted areas may be affected, leading to changes in reproductive behavior, diet, and gut microbiota of the birds,” said Sameli Piirt, a member of the research team, as reported by Interesting Engineering on July 3. Piirt and his colleagues aim to clarify the long-term effects of the nuclear disaster on wildlife.
The collared flycatcher is one of the two bird species selected by the research team for analysis. (Photo: Wikipedia)
By placing nesting boxes in areas with high and low pollution levels within the Chernobyl exclusion zone, researchers monitored the behavior of songbirds and collected fecal samples to gather information about their diet and gut health. Songbirds nested in both areas, indicating that radiation levels do not seem to influence their nesting site choices. Furthermore, the research team found no significant changes in either species regarding reproductive ecology or nesting conditions. Notably, the birds had access to a more diverse insect diet in the polluted areas.
Regarding the gut health of songbirds, radiation levels appear not to affect gut bacteria. However, radiation seems to alter the relative composition of the microbiome. The team of experts will need to conduct further research to determine whether changes in diet and gut microbiota impact the health of the birds.
While the differences may seem minimal, other studies indicate that radiation is affecting birds in the Chernobyl exclusion zone in more profound ways. An analysis conducted in 2011 on 550 birds from 48 species living near Chernobyl showed they had smaller brain volumes due to low-level radiation inhibiting their development, potentially affecting their cognitive abilities. The new research findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology held earlier this week in Prague.
Nearly 40 years ago, on April 26, 1986, the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine marked a horrific tragedy in human history. Toxic clouds spread, exposing approximately 8.4 million people to nuclear radiation. Over 250,000 people developed cancer, with around 100,000 fatalities.
The Soviet Union established the “Chernobyl Exclusion Zone”, covering 2,700 km2 around the plant, erecting a fence with a radius of about 30 km and prohibiting public access due to contamination. Beyond the damages humans continue to face today, the Chernobyl disaster also devastated the landscape, causing significant harm to wildlife and infrastructure.
