FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
PloS one2023; 18(11); e0294632; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294632

Bioaccumulation of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site.

Abstract: The article assesses the content of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site by calculation. Hoofed animals' faeces were sampled to determine the content of radionuclides in their diets. Based on values determined for the content of radionuclides in animals; diets, the content of radionuclides in the meat and milk of farm animals-cows (Bos taurus taurus), sheep (Ovis), goats (Capra hircus) and horses (Equus caballus Lin., 1758) as well as in the meat of wild animals-european moose (Alces alces Lin., 1758), argali (Ovis ammon Lin., 1758), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus Pal., 1771) and saiga (Saiga tatarica Lin., 1766) was calculated. No excess of permissible values of the content of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of farm animals was found to be expected, even for a conventional 'conservative' scenario, in which maxima of the radionuclide activity concentration in a vegetable feed (faeces) are taken as a basis. 241Am and 239+240Pu in the meat of farm hoofed animals are not standardized. Their predicted maxima of activity concentration are very low, and even in the 'conservative' scenario, they do not exceed 1.8×10-2 Bq kg-1, 1.4×10-1 Bq kg-1 and 1.6×10-1 Bq kg-1, respectively. In the milk of farm animals, the content of 137Cs and 90Sr does not exceed permissible values. 241Am and 239+240Pu in the milk of farm animals are not standardized. Their predicted activity concentration values in the milk of sheep and goats do not exceed 6.5×10-2 Bq l-1, for cows- 2.6×10-2 Bq l-1, for horses- 3.1×10-2 Bq l-1. Permissible values of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of wild hoofed animals are not exceeded either. In the meat of argali, roe deer and saigas, relatively high levels of 137Cs are predictable. 241Am and 239+240Pu in meat of wild animals are not standardized. Their predicted activity concentration values in the meat of moose and argali do not exceed 3.2×10-1 Bq kg-1 and 1.6×10-1 Bq kg-1, respectively, for roe deer and saiga-5.4×10-2 Bq kg-1. Thus, in case of free grazing in the STS territory, no excess of permissible values of standardized radionuclides (137Cs and 90Sr) in the meat and milk of hoofed animals is predictable.
Copyright: © 2023 Panitskiy et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-11-27 PubMed ID: 38011204PubMed Central: PMC10681292DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294632Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study evaluates the levels of various radionuclides in hoofed animals living in the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) by analyzing their diet and estimating radionuclide content in their meat and milk.
  • Results indicate that levels of radioactive contaminants remain within permissible limits for both farm and wild animals, even under conservative assumptions.

Study Purpose and Context

  • The research aims to understand the bioaccumulation of radionuclides such as cesium-137 (137Cs), strontium-90 (90Sr), americium-241 (241Am), and plutonium isotopes (239+240Pu) in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site—a former nuclear testing area.
  • Bioaccumulation refers to the build-up of radioactive substances in living organisms, which can pose health risks if concentrations exceed safety standards.
  • The study is important to assess food safety and environmental impact for animals grazing freely in this contaminated region.

Methodology

  • Faeces from hoofed animals were collected and analyzed, serving as a proxy measure of the animals’ diets and potential radionuclide ingestion.
  • Using radionuclide concentrations found in the faeces (reflecting feed intake), the researchers calculated the expected radionuclide levels in:
    • Meat and milk of farm animals: cows (Bos taurus taurus), sheep (Ovis), goats (Capra hircus), and horses (Equus caballus).
    • Meat of wild animals: European moose (Alces alces), argali (Ovis ammon), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and saiga (Saiga tatarica).
  • Calculations included a ‘conservative’ scenario which assumes maximal radionuclide activity concentration in vegetable feed to ensure risk is not underestimated.

Key Findings

  • Farm Animals:
    • Predicted radionuclide concentrations in meat and milk did not exceed regulatory limits for 137Cs and 90Sr.
    • Concentrations of 241Am and 239+240Pu, which lack standardized permissible limits, were very low; maximum predicted levels stayed below 0.18 Bq/kg for meat and 0.065 Bq/L for milk.
  • Wild Animals:
    • No exceedance of permissible values for 137Cs and 90Sr in meat was expected.
    • Higher levels of 137Cs were noted in argali, roe deer, and saiga compared to farm animals, but still within safe limits.
    • Predicted concentrations of 241Am and 239+240Pu remained below approximately 0.32 Bq/kg in moose and argali, and less than 0.054 Bq/kg in roe deer and saiga, despite no established standards for these.

Implications

  • The study suggests that hoofed animals grazing freely in the Semipalatinsk Test Site do not accumulate radionuclides at levels hazardous to humans consuming their meat or milk.
  • This indicates limited radiological risk for local consumption under typical grazing conditions, even when taking conservative radionuclide concentration estimates.
  • Results provide a scientific basis for monitoring and managing food safety related to animal products from the STS area.
  • The research highlights the importance of continuous environmental and health risk assessment in post-nuclear test regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Panitskiy A, Bazarbaeva A, Baigazy S, Polivkina Y, Alexandrovich I, Abisheva M. (2023). Bioaccumulation of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site. PLoS One, 18(11), e0294632. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294632

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 11
Pages: e0294632
PII: e0294632

Researcher Affiliations

Panitskiy, Andrey
  • Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Bazarbaeva, Asem
  • Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Baigazy, Symbat
  • Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Polivkina, Yelena
  • Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Alexandrovich, Ivan
  • Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
Abisheva, Mariya
  • Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Cattle
  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Sheep
  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Strontium Radioisotopes
  • Plutonium
  • Americium / analysis
  • Bioaccumulation
  • Deer
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Goats

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

References

This article includes 35 references
  1. Matuschenko AM, Tsyrkov GA, Chernyshov AK, Dubasov YuV, Krasilov GA, Logachev VA. Chronological List of Nuclear Tests at the Semipalatinsk Test Site and Their Radiation Effects. Nuclear Tests 1998;89–97.
    doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-58776-4_3google scholar: lookup
  2. Lukashenko SN, Kabdyrakova AM, Lind OC. Radioactive particles released from different sources in the Semipalatinsk Test Site. J. Environ. Radioact. Published online 2020.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106160pubmed: 32217195google scholar: lookup
  3. Kabdyrakova AM, Lukashenko SN, Mendubaev AT, Kunduzbayeva AYe, Panitskiy AV, Larionova NV. Distribution of artificial radionuclides in particle-size fractions of soil on fallout plumes of nuclear explosions. J. Environ. Radioact. 2018. June;186:45–53.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.09.022pubmed: 28985989google scholar: lookup
  4. Baklanova YuV, Umarov MA, Dyusembaeva MT, Lukashenko SN. Sr/Cs ratios in soil of epicentral zones of the ‘Experimental Field’ testing site of the Semipalatinsk Test Site. J. Environ. Radioact. 2020. Mar;213:106103.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106103pubmed: 31751802google scholar: lookup
  5. Kashirsky V, Shatrov A, Zvereva I, Lukashenko S. Development of a method for studying Pu/Am activity ratio in the soil of the main Semipalatinsk Test Site areas. J. Environ. Radioact. 2020. May;216:106181.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106181pubmed: 32056789google scholar: lookup
  6. Subbotin SB, Aidarkhanov AO, Romanenko VV, Krivitskiy PY, Umarov MA, Monaenko VN. Development of measures for limiting negative impacts of the “Atomic” lake on population and environment. J. Environ. Radioact. 2020. Nov;223–224:106389.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106389pubmed: 32950913google scholar: lookup
  7. Krivitskiy PYe, Larionova NV, Baklanova YuV, Aidarkhanov AO, Lukashenko SN. Characterization of area radioactive contamination of near-surface soil at the Sary-Uzen site at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. J. Environ. Radioact. 2022. Aug;249:106893.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106893pubmed: 35569206google scholar: lookup
  8. Krivitskiy PYe, Larionova NV, Monayenko VN, Subbotin SB, Chernov AA, Panitskiy AV. Peculiarities of radioactive soil contamination in places of underground nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. J. Environ. Radioact. 2022. 253–254, 106991.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106991pubmed: 36084569google scholar: lookup
  9. Kunduzbayeva AYe, Lukashenko SN, Kabdyrakova AM, Larionova NV, Magasheva RYu, Bakirova GA. Speciation of Cs, Sr, Am, and Pu artificial radionuclides in soils at the Semipalatinsk test site. J. Environ. Radioact. 2022. V. 249, 106867.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106867pubmed: 35523044google scholar: lookup
  10. Panitskiy A, Syssoeva Y, Baigazy S, Kunduzbayeva A, Kenzhina L, Polivkina Y. Vertical distribution of radionuclides in soil at the Semipalatinsk Test Site beyond its test locations. PLOS ONE 2023. V. 18(1):e0278581.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278581pmc: PMC9821777pubmed: 36607986google scholar: lookup
  11. Magasheva Ryu, Yatrebkova NV, Larionova NV, Kabdyrakova AM, Panitsky AV. Migration of radionuclides in the soil and vegetation cover and along the food chain on pasture lands of the active wintering site Sartai-Kora. Bulletin of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan issue 4, December 2007, pp. 63–69 (In Russian).
  12. Lukashenko SN. Topical Issues in Radioecology of Kazakhstan [Optimization of study of the Semipalatinsk Test Site lands for the purpose of their transfer into economic turnover]. Issue. 5.–Pavlodar: Dom Pechati, 2015.- pp. 250–254.
  13. . The order of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated April 8, 2022 No. 126. ‘On the approval of a Technique for the comprehensive ecological survey of land plots, at which nuclear weapons were tested’. Registered in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 20, 2022 No. 27680. (In Russian).
  14. International Atomic Energy Agency. Fundamental safety principles: safety fundamentals. IAEA safety standards series No. SF-1 IAEA, Vienna (2006).
  15. International Commission on Radiation Protection. Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 103. Annals of the ICRP 37 2–3 (2007).
    pubmed: 18082557
  16. . Activity of radionuclides in bulk samples. Meas. Proced. MP 2143–91 Gamma Spectrom.. MP 5.06.001.98 RK.
  17. . A procedure to determine isotopes of plutonium (-239 + 240), Strontium-90, Americium-241 in Environmental Sites. MP 06-7-98. Almaty 1998, RK.
  18. . Method for determining the content of artificial radionuclides Pu, Sr in environmental objects (soils, soils, bottom sediments and plants). KZ.07.00.00471, 2005. Almaty 2010 (in Russian).
  19. International Atomic Energy Agency. Handbook of Parameter Values for the Prediction of Radionuclide Transfer to Humans in Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2010. TRS 472. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.
  20. Howard BJ, Wells C, Barnett CL. Improving the quantity, quality and transparency of data used to derive radionuclide transfer parameters for animal products. 1. goat milk. J. Environ. Radioact. 2016. V.154, 34–42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.01.009pubmed: 26845198google scholar: lookup
  21. Howard BJ, Wells C, Barnett CL, Howard DC. Improving the quantity, quality and transparency of data used to derive radionuclide transfer parameters for animal products. 2. cow milk. J. Environ. Radioact. 2017. V. 167, 254–268.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.10.018pubmed: 28011111google scholar: lookup
  22. Kalashnikov AP, Kleymenov NI, Bakanov VN. Rates and feeding diets of farm animals: a reference guide. Kalashnikov AP, Kleymenov NI, Bakanov VN et al. Moscow: Agropromizdat, 1985.– 352 p. (in Russian).
  23. . Feeding farm animals, poultry and the forage technology under current conditions: A reference guide. 2 revised and enlarged edition. Almaty, ‘Bastau’ Publishing House’, 2008.– 436 p. (in Russian).
  24. Schipanov NA, Averyanov AO, Baranov AV. Mooses. Schipanov NA, Averyanov AO, Baranov AV. A large Russian encyclopedia [in 35 vol.]. Edited by Osipov Yu.S. Moscow: 2011.–Vol. 18. P. 61–62.–ISBN 978-5-85270-351-4. (in Russian).
  25. Kapitonov VI, Makhmutov SM. On the propagation and ecology of argalis by the northern border of the distribution area at Kazakh highlands. Rare and endangered beasts and birds of Kazakhstan Kapitonov VI, Makhmutov SM. Alma-Ata, 1977. P. 7–21. (in Russian).
  26. Kholisova V, Obrtel R, Kozena I, Danilkin A. Feeding. Kholisova V, Obrtel R, Kozena I and Danilkin A. European and Siberian roe deer. Edited by Sokolov VYe, 1992. Moscow: ‘Science’ Publishing House. P. 124–139 (in Russian).
  27. Larionova NV, Lukashenko SN, Kabdyrakova AM, Kunduzbayeva AY, Panitskiy AV, Ivanova AR. Transfer of radionuclides to plants of natural ecosystems at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. J. Environ. Radio. 2018. V. 186, 63–70.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.09.006pubmed: 28992995google scholar: lookup
  28. Minkenova KS, Baigazinov ZhA, Gerasʼkin SA, Perevolotsky AN. Cytogenetic Effects in Crested Hairgrass from a Site Where Tests of Military Radioactive Substances Were Conducted at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. Biology Bulletin 2020.—Vol. 47.—No. 12.—P. 1637–1650.
    doi: 10.1134/S1062359020120067google scholar: lookup
  29. Panitskiy AV, Lukashenko SN. Nature of radioactive contamination of components of ecosystems of streamflows from tunnels of the Degelen massif. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2015. Jun;144:32–40.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.02.021pubmed: 25791901google scholar: lookup
  30. . On approval of hygienic standards for ensuring radiation safety. Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated August 2, 2022 No. KR DSM-71 (registered in the State Register of Normative Legal Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 170343) (In Russian).
  31. Gulakov AV. Accumulation of the major dose-forming radionuclides in moose inhabiting a radioactively contaminated area. Visnik Dnipropetrovs’kogo universitetu. Biologiya. Meditsina. 2011, Vol. 2, No. 2, P. 15–22.
  32. Gulakov AV. Accumulation and distribution of Cs in the body of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758), extracted in the territory of radioactive contamination. Izvestiya Gomel’skogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta im. F Skoriny 2008, No. 5 (50), pp. 83–88.
  33. Kunduzbaeva AE. Study of the mobility of artificial radionuclides in the soils of the Semipalatinsk test site under various conditions of the formation of radioactive contamination. Abstract of the dissertation for the degree of candidate of biological sciences. Specialty 1.5.1. “Radiobiology”, Kurchatov– 2023. 24 p..
  34. Gulakov AV, Saevich KF. Radioekologiya dikikh promyslovykh zhivotnykh i presnovodnykh ryb posle avarii na Chernobyl’skoy AES [Radioecology of wild game animals and freshwater fish after the Chernobyl accident]. Minsk, Vedy Publ., 2006. 168 p..
  35. Audi G, Bersillon O, Blachot J, Wapstra AH. The NUBASE evaluation of nuclear and decay properties. Nuclear Physics A 2003, Vol. 729, P. 3–128.
    doi: 10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2003.11.001google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Panitskiy AV, Baigazinov Z, Baigazy SA, Alexandrovich IA, Polivkina YN, Salmenbayev SE, Alnur R Kozhabekova, Mukhamediyarov NZ, Adjei-Kyereme S, Hegedűs M, Kovács T. Assessment of (137)Cs, (90)Sr, (241)Am, (239+240)Pu, (3)H (HTO, OBT) in the fish from lakes, rivers, and nuclear shell craters of the semipalatinsk test site.. Sci Rep 2025 Dec 16;16(1):1802.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-31374-7pubmed: 41398036google scholar: lookup
  2. Artamonov Y, Krivitskiy P, Zhamaldinov F, Aseyev V, Klivenko A. The Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Adsorbents Based on Acrylamide Hydrogels and Cryogels for Water Purification from Radioactive Contaminants.. Gels 2025 Apr 22;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/gels11050311pubmed: 40422331google scholar: lookup
  3. Panitskiy A, Bazarbaeva A, Baigazy S, Alexandrovich I, Larionova N. Radioecological characteristics of Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus Pal., 1771) inhabiting locations of nuclear weapon tests.. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0308518.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308518pubmed: 39288116google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 100,324 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.