Chornobyl's black frogs: Nature's unexpected radiation shield
The frogs of Chornobyl show that nothing is impossible. These small amphibians have demonstrated resistance to the radiation that, following the disaster at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, has had a destructive impact on plants, animals, and humans.
7 November 2024 15:19
The Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster will be discussed for centuries to come. The 1986 nuclear reactor accident contaminated approximately 12,500 to 14,600 hectares, resulting in the relocation of about 350,000 people. The residents of Chornobyl and nearby towns fled their homes, but wild animals, unaware of the immense danger, remained in the area.
Chornobyl frogs are resistant to radiation
Scientists from the Spanish Estación Biológica de Doñana decided to study the frogs living in Chornobyl to understand the impact of the reactor accident on wild animals. The researchers focused particularly on the eastern tree frogs living in the area. Samples for the Spanish researchers' studies were collected between 2016 and 2018. Scientists gathered over 200 frogs from areas covering the full spectrum of contamination. In laboratories, they determined the age of the animals, the amount of radiation they absorbed, and the level of the stress hormone (corticosterone). Also, they assessed the aging rate by using the telomeres' length.
One of the study's authors, Pablo Burraco from Estación Biológica de Doñana, said in an interview with "IFLScience": "The results showed no difference between the lifespan, rate of aging, and stress indicators in Chernobyl's tree frogs compared to those living in control areas without radiation, indicating the levels of radiation in the region are no longer enough to cause chronic damage. The authors say that the results reinforce the role of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone as a wildlife refuge that must be preserved, especially given that the current impact of the accident appears to be manageable for the frogs."
Radiation has changed the colour of eastern tree frogs
Researchers noticed that the colour of eastern tree frogs living in the contaminated zones differs significantly from the typical shade of this amphibian species. Tree frogs are usually bright green, while those inhabiting the area around Chornobyl are black. Scientists explain that "pigmentation could have been more relevant when the accident occurred to survive the very high radiation levels at that time, but I agree that it might still play a role nowadays."
