Wildlife defies Cherynobl radiation

[Wiss]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4923342.stm

interesting article about wildlife resettling the radioactive lands around Cherynobl. One source even goes so far as to suggest that dumping radioactive wastes in the rain forest would be good for the animals in an effort to limit human encroachment.

He went on: "I have wondered if the small volumes of nuclear waste from power production should be stored in tropical forests and other habitats in need of a reliable guardian against their destruction by greedy developers".

[Komachi Angel]

He went on: "I have wondered if the small volumes of nuclear waste from power production should be stored in tropical forests and other habitats in need of a reliable guardian against their destruction by greedy developers".

What a wonderful idea - why don't we just put landmines in places we don't want people to go? Only small amounts of landmines, though, to act as a 'guardian'.

/sarcasm

[CNagy]

And in a few hundred years, after world war III, a tribe near the rainforest will speak of Claymore, Protector of the Forbidden Forest.

[Klilynkun]

Starting to sound like chronotrigger

[Wiss]

The real crazy thing is that the animals are not cognizant of the radiation so move in and receive chromosonal damage. Now, nature is weeding out those with excessive mutations so there aren't any two headed wolves out there but it appears that there are many non-apparent mutations in their DNA that still produces a viable animal, able to function and reproduce. Should be interesting on if this kick-starts some evolution with these animals.

"Animals don't seem to sense radiation and will occupy an area regardless of the radiation condition," says radioecologist Sergey Gaschak.

He has found ample evidence of DNA mutations, but nothing that affected the animals' physiology or reproductive ability.

Mary Mycio, author of Wormwood Forest, a natural history of the Chernobyl zone, points out that a mutant animal in the wild will usually die and be eaten before scientists can observe it.

[kyaa the catlord]

Hey, a two headed, or even three headed, wolf could be viable if all the plumbing hooked up right. Look at Cerberus man.

Yet... beware the giant scorpions.

[Klilynkun]

Giant spiders you mean.... 8 legged freaks

[theunraveler]

And in a few hundred years, after world war III, a tribe near the rainforest will speak of Claymore, Protector of the Forbidden Forest.
:lol:

another tribe will have "Bouncing Betty" as the protector..

[phat_al]

Can you say, "X-Men"?

Except it would be "X-nimal" :(

[Langosta]

Why do you drop the a?

Anyhow I'm in favour of putting any kind of waste you can find in the rainforest, I figure it's gotta have an interesting result.

[Collapse]

Chernobyl will still be radiated by around 900 years since radiation has an half life of about.. 8 days?

Anyway, flora and fauna will certainly develop in the area with resistance to the radiation. I don't see it as awe-inspiring, it's just nature at work.

[Beowulf]

Dammit Nature when we kick you in the balls you best stay down or we'll just have to do it again!