Radiation is an energy generated from a source and moves through space. Radiation can even penetrate to various places. A sea is a place that is often badly affected by this radiation. If the radiation within the ocean in high doses, it will certainly have a negative impact on the ecosystem inside it. Here are the 15 effects of radiation on ocean life that we should know.
1. The Levels of Radioactive Isotopes have increased
The scientists in Japan took samples of seawater near a nuclear power plant on the east coast of Japan. In this study, it was shown that the levels of radioactive isotopes are increased. It’ s not only that, the levels of cesium and iodine are also increased.
If this is allowed, the life at sea will undergo DNA changes. However, there are some scientists say that oceans are exposed to active radiation exposure that there is still any potential for organisms to live. Although, the radiation with large doses can reduce the reproductive potential of living things in the oceans. Read more about Importance of Nutrients in the Ocean
2. Potentially Deadly Radiation
Radiation that concerns the sea water, it will quickly spread like in the air. The Active radiation that entering the sea water is known to increase and cause harm to marine life. One of the dangers is that it can potentially kill the marine animals.
However, this radiation hazard will be even more sinister if the radiation effects are found in the marine and exposed marine gene. Do you know? The radiation that found in the genes of marine animals can actually create strange mutations in their offspring.
3. The Marine organisms are very sensitive to the radiation
The pollution by active radiation will lead to instability in contaminated marine areas. If the sea is polluted, then the living creatures whose habitat at sea will feel the consequences. The danger of radiation contamination at sea, it is not only dangerous for marine animals only. Eggs and larvae were also affected.
Eggs and larvae in marine organisms are very sensitive to the radiation exposure. The exposed radiation and it enters in the eggs and larvae will make changes to its DNA. The Organisms that have DNA changes usually they cannot survive, but in some other organisms such DNA disorders it can be passed on to the next generation. Read more about Interesting Facts of Ocean Acidification
4. The radiation can enter into the food chain of marine life
The ocean that exposed to active radiation can enter into the food chain. When animals eat plants exposed to active radiation, other animals will also be exposed to radiation.
The issue of radiation that enters the food chain cannot be underestimated, as it can spread damage to the marine ecosystem. Some scientists have examined the tuna in American waters exposed to the element of radiation.
However, after studying tuna fish caught in California waters in August 2011. The fishes are not dangerous for a human to consume. Although it is not harmful in consuming radiated fish we have to be careful. Tuna is usually contaminated with heavy metals in high levels, such as mercury.
5. The radiation leakage increases on ocean
The radiation that caused by three Fukushima nuclear power plants in 2011 was leaked. The Radiation from the reactor is distributed through ocean currents. This active radiation spreads about 5,000 miles to the Pacific, North and South America.
This concern is also increased as the radiation spread to the North American Shore. Some scientists have investigated, there is evidence of increased concentrations of Cesium -134 and other radioactive substances with significant levels. This finding proves that some areas of American waters are not isolated for some locations. Read more about How to Prevent Ocean Dumping
6. Radiation runs with the ocean currents
At the previous point, it is said that the radiation is distributed through ocean currents. This is true, as some studies show that the radiation can travel with ocean currents, then it stored in marine sediments. The study of the release of these radioactive materials has been studied for decades.
Radioactive material from Sellafield shows that the nuclear remediation plant at Cap de la Hague in France has been sent to the North Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. These studies show us that most of the world’s radiation contamination does exist in the ocean.
7. The radiation mechanisms that enter to the fish body
How does the radiation mechanism enter the fish? According to the Professor at the University of Colombia, the mechanism of radiation that enters the fish body is the same as in humans. The radiation can enter directly into the bloodstream, lungs and bone structure.
It can potentially cause cancer, genetic damage, and even death. Keep in mind that larger animals are more sensitive to radiation than smaller animals. Small animals such as small fish, mollusks, crustaceans, planktons, and phytoplankton are even able to absorb the radiation. Read more about Main Elements in Ocean Water
8. The radiation and the seabirds
Seabirds, a number of researchers observed and analyzed various types of birds that live in coastal areas. Over a decade they analyzed bird species in areas that had been contaminated by a nuclear explosion, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in 1986.
Research on birds was done because it is easy to observe. In their findings, birds living in areas contaminated with radiation have significant genetic damage. Like reduced fertility in male birds, and some birds have small brains.
In some species of birds, birds also decrease in number and its age becomes short. The decrease in numbers is due to birds exposed to iodine, cesium, and other radioactive isotopes. Read more about Importance of Ocean Biodiversity
9. The prohibition on imports of seafood
When the sea in Japan is contaminated by nuclear radiation, some countries ban the seafood imports from Japan. The countries like the United States, for example, They have banned food that imports from the nearby prefectures with Fukushima. Some of them also directly monitor the imported food products, including the seafood.
10. Decontamination
The filtering system is a solution to clean water containing radioactive elements. Initially, a decontamination test is required first. After the decontamination test goes well, the filtration system will be done to clean 1200 tons of water per day.
However, the filtered water will initially be much less and water will begin to increase later. The filtered water will be reused to cooling the fused fuel elements. Hopefully, in this way, the problem of radioactively contaminated water in the reactor it can be solved.
11. Osmosis Water System
Osmosis Water System is the best technology to reduce some types of radioactive particles in water. This Osmosis system works by forcing water through a material with very small pores, 0.001 microns. So that the filtered water will no longer contain radioactive particles.
Reverse osmosis has been identified by EPA as the best available technology (BAT) and Small System Compliance Technology (SSCT) for uranium, radium, gross alpha, and beta particles and photon emitters. This osmosis can also be appropriate, automated, and even compact for small systems. Read more about Importance of Mid Ocean Ridges
12. Activated carbon
Activated carbon has been studied by a number of scientists to remove iodine-131 from contaminated waters. The iodine -131 is produced during nuclear weapons blasting, and some of the other iodine -129 iodine breaths to air.
It is very difficult to conceive through filtration processes such as Reverse Osmosis. With an activated carbon bed, the iodine isotopes out of moisture. It is the reason why the activated carbon can be easily filtrated.
The activated carbon works by absorbing contaminants and fixing them, as water passes through them. However, this activated carbon also has several of disadvantages. Despite the weakness of this activated carbon can reach the load capacity in absorbing new contaminants.
13. OMC filter
Some scientists from the Rice University of Houston, Texas and Kazan Federal University in Russia produce radiation-related the solutions that have reached the entire of Pacific Ocean, North America. In the new study, an oxidatively modified carbon formulation (OMC) was discovered.
This solution successfully absorbs the radiant elements of cesium and strontium, both of the elements are found in the water stored in Fukushima, Japan.
The researchers also developed the materials to take inexpensive coke powder called C-Seal F and combined with a carbon-based, shungite mineral to produce OMC materials. They found that carbon particles with oxidizing chemicals could increase the surface area.
It is not only that, they can also group the oxygen molecules needed to absorb toxic metals. At the time of filtration testing, a new carbon filter can remove almost 93% of cesium and 92% of strontium in one slit. Read more about Importance of Algae in Ocean Ecosystems
14. The ion exchange
The ion exchange is also carried out to remove radioactive compounds from drinking water. This method is recommended by EPA. This ion exchange works by removing the contaminants as water that passes through the resin which it contains sodium ions. This ion exchange is highly recommended for the removal of Cesium -137 which is found in rain samples in the United States.
Some of the resins have also been specially designed by scientists to capture Cesium-137. The ion exchange here is used to clean up the nuclear waste from an old reactor at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site.
15. Triple Treat
The best solution and filtering in waters that have been contaminated by radiation, we can use a combination of three treatments. On the Savannah River site, they do this. They combine activated carbon, reverse osmosis and ion exchange to treat water that has been contaminated with radiation. This method is the best solution in capturing radiation through various ways.
Water-contaminated radiation really passes quickly. This radiation not only spreads in the local ocean but also to the ocean, such as the Pacific Ocean. If this continues, the radiation not only threatens the marine life but also threatens the human life, the indirect of radiation will enter to our bodies. Hopefully, the 15 effects of radiation on ocean life can be useful for us.
See Also :
- Effect of ocean currents on the temperature
- Social Effect of Ocean Pollution
- Effects of Coral Reef Destruction