On the mechanism of biological activation by tritium

The mechanism of biological activation by beta-emitting radionuclide tritium was studied. Luminous marine bacteria were used as a bioassay to monitor the biological effect of tritium with luminescence intensity as the physiological parameter tested. Two different types of tritium sources were used:...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental radioactivity 2016-06, Vol.157, p.131-135
Main Authors: Rozhko, T.V., Badun, G.A., Razzhivina, I.A., Guseynov, O.A., Guseynova, V.E., Kudryasheva, N.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Bacteria
Biological
Bioluminescence
DNA mutations
DNA, Bacterial - radiation effects
Low-dose effect
Luminescence
Luminous marine bacteria
Penetration
Photobacterium - genetics
Photobacterium - metabolism
Photobacterium - radiation effects
Radiation hormesis
Radioactivity
Tritium
Tritium - pharmacology
Water Pollutants, Radioactive - pharmacology
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Summary:The mechanism of biological activation by beta-emitting radionuclide tritium was studied. Luminous marine bacteria were used as a bioassay to monitor the biological effect of tritium with luminescence intensity as the physiological parameter tested. Two different types of tritium sources were used: HTO molecules distributed regularly in the surrounding aqueous medium, and a solid source with tritium atoms fixed on its surface (tritium-labeled films, 0.11, 0.28, 0.91, and 2.36 MBq/cm2). When using the tritium-labeled films, tritium penetration into the cells was prevented. The both types of tritium sources revealed similar changes in the bacterial luminescence kinetics: a delay period followed by bioluminescence activation. No monotonic dependences of bioluminescence activation efficiency on specific radioactivities of the films were found. A 15-day exposure to tritiated water (100 MBq/L) did not reveal mutations in bacterial DNA. The results obtained give preference to a “non-genomic” mechanism of bioluminescence activation by tritium. An activation of the intracellular bioluminescence process develops without penetration of tritium atoms into the cells and can be caused by intensification of trans-membrane cellular processes stimulated by ionization and radiolysis of aqueous media. •Effect of tritium on luminous marine bacteria is attributed to hormesis phenomenon.•Tritium activates bacterial luminescence without penetration into cells.•Bacterial DNA mutations are not responsible for activation by tritium.•Ionization of aqueous medium is responsible for radiation hormesis.
ISSN:0265-931X
1879-1700
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.03.017