Agricultural recovery of a formerly radioactive area: II. Systematic proteomic characterization of flax seed development in the remediated Chernobyl area
Graphical abstract
Introduction
More than two decades have passed since the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) in 1986, which had the consequence of releasing extensive amounts of radioactivity to the environment [1], [2]. During the past 25 years, numerous studies have been conducted in order to reveal the effects of the radio-contaminated environment on flora and fauna of the Chernobyl region [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], including agricultural crops [4], [9], [10]. It was revealed, for instance, that soybean and flax seeds harvested from radioactive plots in the Chernobyl area accumulated small amounts of radioactivity, but showed relatively little effect on the seed proteome [11], [12]. Based on these data, working models for plant adaptation toward ionizing radiation in Chernobyl area were proposed. The models allow testing of the component mechanisms by which plants adapt their metabolism to the radio-contaminated conditions of Chernobyl area [11], [12].
A different aspect of the accident at the CNPP involves remediation of radioactive areas. The remediation effort started immediately after the Chernobyl accident and has included (a) washing of buildings and roads with decontamination solution; (b) application and subsequent removal of a polymeric film to absorb radio-contaminants; (c) the sealing of surfaces by application of asphalt; and (d) adding clean soil to contaminated areas, thus diluting the extent of contamination. Furthermore, during the 25 years since the accident, some natural remediation of the Chernobyl area has occurred due to decay of radio-isotopes and their diffusion to deeper layers of the soil.
Molecular characterization of crop plants grown in the remediated, formerly radioactive Chernobyl area can establish a framework for future agricultural practices in remediated areas. For this purpose, we established a field in Chernobyl town that has only low levels of radioactivity after remediation. Recently, we described a high-resolution protein map for mature flax seeds harvested from this field [13]. Herein we extend these studies by describing a systematic analysis of flax seed development.
Section snippets
Remediated field
The remediated field is located in a formerly radioactive area of Chernobyl town (Supplemental Fig. 1). The sod-podzol soil of the field has a pH of 5.5, includes 12% clay and 2% organic compounds, and contains 1414 ± 71 Bq/kg of 137Cs and 550 ± 55 Bq/kg of 90Sr.
Plant material
Flax (Linum usitatissimum, L., var. Kyivskyi) seeds were sown in the remediated field in May, 2008. Developing seeds were harvested at 14, 21, and 28 days after flowering (DAF), along with mature seeds, in order to encompass the entire period
Results and discussion
The present study is part of an ongoing analysis of plants grown in the Chernobyl area. The aims of these analyses are to explain how it is possible for plants to grow and reproduce in an environment high in ionizing radiation, and to provide detailed characterization of crop plants grown in the remediated, formerly radioactive, Chernobyl area. Herein we focus on the second part of this aim and provide a systematic proteomics characterization of flax seed development in the remediated Chernobyl
Concluding remarks
The data presented herein plus the recently published protein map of mature flax seeds [13] provide an extensive descriptive platform for flax seeds harvested from the remediated, formerly radioactive Chernobyl area. Future analyses should additionally focus on other crop plants for comparative verification, and should additionally be compared with seeds from plants grown in the formerly radioactive areas, in non-contaminated fields, and in controlled greenhouse settings. In toto, the data
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Seventh Framework Program of the European Union – International Reintegration Grant (MIRG-CT-2007-200165). MD was supported by the National Scholarship Program of the Slovak Republic. The authors thank to Mr. Volodymyr I. Sakada for technical help with the maintenance of Chernobyl fields, and Professor Ján. A. Miernyk for help with the English-language editing of this manuscript. This paper reflects only the author's views and the Community is not liable for
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