![3D"CNN](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/global/header/us/hdr-=)
![3D""=20](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/global/header/nav-arr=)
![](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/1px.gif"){kind=spacer}
![3D""=20](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/global/icons/btn_clos=){kind=icon}
=20
Chernobyl: Environmental dead zone or = eco-haven?
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced the evacuation of a 30 kilometer = zone=20 around the site
- Ongoing study of seeds shows signs some plants can adapt to = radiation=20
- Nature has filled the void left by humans to create "sanctuary of=20
biodiversity" according to U.N.
- Scientists working in the area disagree, saying radiation has led =
to=20
decline in wildlife
CNN's global series i-List takes you to = a=20 different country each month. In January, we visit Ukraine and look at = changes=20 shaping the country's economy, culture and social fabric.
(CNN) -- The abandoned ruins of the town of Pripyat near the = site of=20 the world's worst nuclear disaster, at Chernobyl in northern Ukraine, = have been=20 crumbling away for almost a quarter of a century.
The absence of humans has seen nature seemingly flourish in the = town's=20 deserted streets, squares and buildings, apparently defying the = radiation that=20 leaked out when reactor number four exploded on April 26 1986.
But how true is this picture?
New research is showing that some plant species appear to be able to = adapt,=20 despite high levels of toxicity.
Scientists studying the seeds harvested from soybean and flax plants = grown=20 inside (five kilometers from the power plant) the exclusion zone found = them to=20 be relatively unaffected by radiation.
Martin Hajduch from the Institute of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology = at the=20 Slovak Academy of Sciences said: "We detected very low radioactivity in = the=20 seeds. In the stem or leaves there is radioactivity, but it is somehow = blocked=20 and doesn't come to the seeds."
In the stem or leaves there is radioactivity, but it is somehow =
blocked and=20
doesn't come to the seeds
--Martin Hajduch, Slovak Academy of=20 Sciences
--Martin Hajduch, Slovak Academy of=20 Sciences
RELATED TOPICS
-
- Nature = and=20 the Environment
- Nuclear = Energy
- Science and = Technology
-
Hajduch and his colleagues in Ukraine conducted a proteomic study = (examining=20 the structure and function of proteins) of the plants and found that the = seeds=20 harvested inside the exclusion zone compared favorably with ones grown = in=20 non-contaminated soil outside.
"I cannot recommend eating something from Chernobyl, but I think it = will be=20 possible at some stage," Hajduch said.
He's encouraged by the recovery plants are making at Chernobyl -- an = area he=20 describes as "full of life."
The
Plant and animal populations had grown since the disaster, they said, = and the=20 exclusion zone had "paradoxically become a unique sanctuary for=20 biodiversity."
But some scientists disagree with the U.N.'s assessment.
Biologist Anders Moller from the University of Paris Sud in France = has been=20 examining the effects of radiation on animals around Chernobyl for two=20 decades.
"Areas with higher radiation have fewer animals, survival and = reproduction is=20 reduced, sperm are abnormal and have reduced swimming ability. = Abnormalities are=20 commonplace and mutations rates are much elevated," Moller said.
Last year, Moller and Mousseau published the results of the largest = census of=20 animal life in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. It revealed, contrary to = the=20 Chernobyl Forum's 2005 report, that biodiversity in insects, birds and = mammals=20 is declining.
Not all species are affected by radiation in the same way according = to=20 Moller. Some birds -- including migrant species and long distance = dispersers --=20 are more vulnerable to radiation than others, he said.
Hajduch said animal numbers in the exclusion zone are probably higher = now=20 than before the accident. But that's because there are no humans there = hunting=20 or fishing.
"But if you look at how many species of animals are in the area, I = think it=20 would be less," Hajduch said.
According to
Cesium remains the most widely dispersed isotope while concerns = remain over=20 long-term contamination from strontium and plutonium.
Cesium and strontium have a half-life of around 30 years. Plutonium, = however,=20 has a half-life of 29,000 years.
The recent decision by Ukraine's government to
Chernobyl tourist Ruben Solaz, who took the stunning gallery images = above on=20 a summer trip to the site in 2008, described his visit as a "very = touching,=20 hair-raising" experience.
Few who enter Chernobyl's "zone of alienation" = would=20 disagree.
![3D""=20](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/mosaic/15x15_PLUS_bt.=)
We recommend
From around the web
![3D""=20](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/global/misc/advertise=)
NewsPulse
Most popular stories right now
Monday=20
quarterbacking: Super Bowl's hits and fumbles
Passengers=20
'mutiny' over Ryanair bag fee
Cops:=20
Party ejection led to frat shooting
Former=20
hotel houses thousands of squatters
Prince=20
Harry and Chelsy Davy back together?
![3D""=20](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/3.0/global/misc/cb_logo.g=){kind=logo}
![3D""=20](3D"http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/images/1.gif")
=