Thirty years ago, the largest accident in the history of nuclear power occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Today, it is not so easy to meet a person within a radius of tens of kilometers from a nuclear power plant, but, as new studies show, there are plenty of wild animals in the exclusion zone. Scientists at the Savannah River Environmental Laboratory (University of Georgia) studied and counted the Chernobyl fauna using trap cameras.
The research findings, led by James Beasley, have been published in the ecology and environmental journal Frontiers. The work of scientists has confirmed the long-standing assumption that the number of animals in the exclusion zone does not decrease even in places of significant radiation pollution.
In previous studies on this topic, released in the fall of 2015, the number of animals was determined by counting their tracks. Beasley's group used a more modern technique based on distance photography. Notably, Beasley's findings are in good agreement with earlier studies.
“We have placed cameras in strict order throughout the Belarusian section of the exclusion zone,” says Beasley. "Because of this, we now have photographic evidence to support our conclusions."
The study was conducted over five weeks at 94 sites using 30 cameras. The devices fixed to the trees worked for 7 days in each location. To attract the animals, camera traps emitted the smell of fatty acids.
Sarah Webster, a Beasley graduate student, set up the devices about three kilometers apart so that animals would visit no more than one camera trap per day.
Scientists recorded each species of animals in the pictures, as well as the frequency of their appearance. At the same time, the Beasley group paid special attention to carnivores because of their special place in the food hierarchy. By closing food chains, predators are most at risk of radiation contamination. They not only eat animals living in the exclusion zone, but also receive radioactive substances from the environment - soil, water and air.
Scientists managed to capture 14 species of mammals in photographs. Most often, wolves, wild boars, foxes and raccoon dogs, which are widespread on the Eurasian continent, fell into the camera lenses. According to Beasley, these animals were most often found precisely in those parts of the exclusion zone, where radiation pollution was maximum.
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In the course of further research, Beasley plans to find out how living in the exclusion zone affects the physical condition and longevity of animals.
ALEX KUDRIN