Radiation, The Stuff of Life

[woodchip]

Scientist studying the Chernobyl radiated areas have made a couple of interesting statements:

"Now the people have moved out," he says. "It's clear that everyday human occupation and activity did much more damage than the contamination left by the accident."

"Dr Jim Smith, a radioecologist who has been studying Chernobyl for 20 years, says that the evidence from laboratory studies suggests there is no significant damage to wildlife."

"Dr Smith has also carried out his own studies focusing on aquatic ecosystems in the zone. Strangely, he found the greatest biodiversity - the highest number of species - in the most contaminated of the zone's lakes, Glubokoye."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/14250489

So for you nature lovers, promote the building of cheap nuclear reactors like they have in Japan. The animals will someday love you for it.

[Will Robinson]

..

"Dr Smith has also carried out his own studies focusing on aquatic ecosystems in the zone. Strangely, he found the greatest biodiversity - the highest number of species - in the most contaminated of the zone's lakes, Glubokoye." ..

Godzillarooskie!

[Nightshade]

I wouldn't exactly go jumping into any nuclear reactor cooling ponds for a swim though.

[Top Gun]

If you read the rest of the article, there are other researchers who have come to the opposite conclusion.

Professor Mousseau says that he has found just the opposite, not just for birds, but also in mammals and insects.

"The effects are dramatic," he says.

"In the highly contaminated areas, we see fewer than half as many species as there are in the cleaner parts of the zone."

I'm left wondering how woodchip managed to miss a paragraph that was right under the one he quoted.