Mutant butterflies in Fukushima

Malformations of butterflies after the nuclear disaster of Fukushima

15/08/2012

Japanese scientists from Ryukyu University in Okinawa have found an accumulation of malformations in butterflies after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Nearly a year and a half after the meltdown, more than half of the butterflies in the region today have mutations such as deformed wings or eyes.

The meltdown in Fukushima and the associated release of radioactivity will probably burden the local population for generations to come. Because radioactive radiation damages the genetic material and the probability of mutations increases correspondingly.

Japanese scientists from the University of Ryukyu in Okinawa have now discovered an accumulation of malformations in butterflies from around the nuclear power plant in Fukushima - not only in the first generation, but also in the second and third. Nearly a year and a half after the nuclear disaster, more than half of the butterflies in the Fukushima region now have mutations such as deformed wings or eyes. Although the results are not one-to-one transferable to humans, they should be taken seriously as an indication of the risk of birth defects in future generations.

Malformations increase after the nuclear disaster from generation to generation
In their study, the researchers looked at how common in butterflies of the blue-bellied family malformations occurred when they were exposed to the increased radioactivity in Fukushima at the larval stage. Of the 144 collected butterflies, twelve percent showed severe malformations, such as too small wings or deformed eyes. Subsequently, the researchers bred a second and third generation from the butterflies in the laboratory, with 18 percent of the offspring showing mutations in the second generation and as many as 34 percent in the third generation. And this despite the fact that the insects in the laboratory - unlike in the natural environment of Fukushima - were not exposed to any further radiation exposure and, in addition, one parent each came from another population. The researchers found 52 percent of the offspring with malformations were affected by 240 blues caught in the region six months after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

Long-term effects of the meltdown of Fukushima
Thus, the long-term effects of radioactive radiation on the butterflies population seem far more serious than the short-term effects in the immediately affected generation. Transferred to humans, this would mean that only the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of today's population will feel the real consequences of the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima. As Joji Otaki of the University of the Ryukyus in the online trade magazine „Scientific Reports“ reports, the researchers assume, „that artificial radionuclides from the nuclear power plant Fukushima the physiological and genetic damage“ caused by the butterflies. Therefore, there is serious cause for concern about the effects of radiation „on living organisms, which ultimately lead in the long term to the destruction of ecosystems and the spread of chronic diseases“ could lead. Although the immediate consequences of extremely high levels of exposure to radiation such as in Chernobyl or after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are well known (for example, an increase in thyroid cancer), „the effects of low dose radiation on living beings, including humans, is still controversial“; report the Japanese scientists. In addition, one of her biggest concerns is the potential inheritance of the negative effects of radiation exposure.

Further studies needed to record the extent of the nuclear disaster
Concerning the butterflies, the researchers have now clearly demonstrated that the released radioactivity in Fukushima caused damage to the genetic material of the insects and this is reflected in increased malformations in future generations. However, the results are not readily transferable to humans or other species, so further studies are urgently needed to capture the full extent of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, said Joji Otaki. The nuclear meltdown of three reactors in the Fukushima nuclear power plant triggered by the earthquake and associated tsunami in March 2011 was the heaviest nuclear disaster to date, along with Chernobyl (1986). Only days after the actual meltdown, the evacuation took place, according to many people were exposed to a massive radiation exposure. The consequences this will have on the health of the population in the future will probably only become apparent in years or decades. (Fp)

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Health: long-term consequences of radioactive radiation

Image: Thommy Weiss