A recent study conducted by researchers from Vienna’s University of Technology and Leibniz University of Hannover has revealed that nuclear weapons testing in the 1960s has contributed significantly to the high levels of radioactivity found in Europe’s wild boar population. Previously, it was believed that the 1986 Chernobyl disaster was the primary cause of the phenomenon.
The study, which was published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal, involved testing meat samples from 48 wild pigs obtained between 2019 and 2021 in the German state of Bavaria. All the samples contained traces of radiocesium, a radioactive isotope produced by nuclear fission. Some of the samples exceeded the regulatory limit by a factor of up to 25.
Using an “emerging nuclear forensic fingerprint,” the scientists determined that the high levels of radioactivity in the meat were not only linked to the Chernobyl disaster but also to nuclear bomb blasts conducted in the atmosphere during the Cold War. These older nuclear bomb blasts continue to affect the soil in the region, resulting in the contamination of the wild boar population.
The researchers found that the samples exhibited signatures of mixing both Chernobyl and nuclear weapons fallout. They noted that “old” Cesium-137 from weapons fallout contributed anywhere between 10% to 68% of the levels found, exceeding the regulatory limit. In some cases, Caesium-137 from nuclear weapons alone could lead to the exceedance of the regulatory limit.
The report highlighted that the Bavarian region of southeast Germany, known for its heavy contamination from the Chernobyl accident, experienced high concentrations of cesium in wildlife in the years following the disaster. However, traces of the isotope have significantly declined in all animals except wild pigs. This has been attributed to the consumption of deer truffles, an underground mushroom favored by boars. The scientists believe that the radioactive cesium from nuclear detonations in the 1960s has contaminated the fungi, leading to the persistence of radiation levels in the wild boar population.
The researchers concluded that Bavarian boars will likely continue to exhibit high traces of radioactivity since cesium from the Chernobyl accident will continue to seep further into the soil, contaminating the truffles. They emphasized the importance of preventing nuclear confrontation and the ability to identify the sources of any release of radiation and evaluate potential environmental consequences, particularly in light of the rising threat of nuclear strikes or accidental releases of radiation amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The study highlights the long-lasting impact of nuclear activities on the environment and food safety. Once released, radiocesium can remain in the environment for generations, posing risks to both human and animal health. It underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and mitigation measures to minimize the exposure and effects of radiation.
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