Comparison of chronic low-dose effects of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides on marine bacteria

Effects of Americium-241 (²⁴¹Am), alpha-emitting radionuclide of high specific radioactivity, and tritium (³H), beta-emitting radionuclide, on luminous bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum were compared. Bioluminescence intensity served as a marker of bacterial physiological activity. Three successive stages in the bioluminescence response to ²⁴¹Am and ³H were found under conditions of lowdose irradiation: (1) absence of effects, (2) activation, and (3) inhibition. They were interpreted in terms of bacterial response to stressfactor as stress recognition, adaptive response/syndrome, and suppression of physiological function (i.e. radiation toxicity). Times of bioluminescence activation (TBA) and inhibition (TBI) were suggested as parameters to characterize hormesis and toxic stages in a course of chronic low-dose irradiation of the microorganisms. Values of TBA and TBI of ²⁴¹Am were shorter than those of ³H, revealing higher impact of alpha-irradiation (as compared to beta-irradiation) under comparable radiation doses. Increases of peroxide concentration and NADH oxidation rates in ²⁴¹Am aquatic solutions were demonstrated; these were not found in tritiated water. The results reveal a biological role of reactive oxygen species generated in water solutions as secondary products of the radioactive decay. The study provides a scientific basis for elaboration of bioluminescence-based assay to monitor radiotoxicity of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in aquatic solutions.