Bioindication-based approach on integrated assessment of natural radionuclides impact on biota in post-mining areas

摘要

Post-mining areas are of special concern as being polluted by mixture of natural radionuclides, heavy metals and saline waste water, which may enhance a risk both for human health and biological components of natural ecosystems. The study was aimed at developing a complex approach for the environment health assessment integrating information on contaminants levels registered with routine techniques and bioindicationbased estimates of adverse effects of their combination. Water and sediment soil were sampled from underground galleries of collieries and a river and ponds in post-mining areas of the Upper Silesia, Poland. Measurements of chemicals and radionuclides composition in water and soil samples were carried out. Phytoand genotoxicity of sampled water and soil were assessed with Allium cepa plant system application. Cytogenetic and cytotoxic effects were used as biological endpoints, namely, frequency and spectrum of chromosome aberrations and mitotic abnormalities in ana-telophase cells as well as mitotic activity in Allium root tips. Compatibility of findings observed and legislative standards adopted for these main factors are discussed. Complex issues are involved in evaluating environmental risk, and an effective linking of bioindication screening assays to the well-established environmental pollution monitoring approach is a way of improving and upgrading an existing system of the public and environment protection to meet requirements of consistency between nowadays scientific knowledge and decision-making process.