International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 66-73 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 66 Research Article Open Access Physiological Response of Marine Organisms to Nuclear Pollution Chenhao Cai , Leibiao Zhang Zhuji Hongkang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: 1300560419@qq.com International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0009 Received: 19 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 29 Mar., 2024 Published: 18 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Cai and Zhang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Cai C.H., and Zhang L.B., 2024, Physiological response of marine organisms to nuclear pollution, International Journal of Marine Science, 14(2): 66-73 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0009) Abstract Nuclear pollution refers to the presence of radioactive isotopes in the environment, usually caused by nuclear facility accidents, nuclear weapon testing, nuclear waste disposal, medical radiation therapy, and other nuclear activities. Nuclear pollution has always been an important concern in the global environmental field due to its potential harm to ecosystems and human health. The development of nuclear energy is still relatively common in some countries, which means that the safety management of nuclear energy facilities and nuclear waste disposal have become crucial. In order to prevent nuclear pollution, relevant personnel need to ensure the proper handling and storage of nuclear waste, and interdisciplinary researchers need to detect and study nuclear pollution globally to understand the spread and impact of nuclear pollution. This review delves into the physiological response of marine organisms to nuclear pollution, aiming to reveal the impact of nuclear pollution on marine ecosystems and the importance of ecology and environmental protection. The author also examined the sources and types of nuclear pollution, including natural nuclear radiation and anthropogenic nuclear pollution, as well as the types and release sources of different radioactive substances. While analyzing the distribution and transmission mechanism of nuclear pollution in the ocean, the focus is on the physiological response mechanism of marine organisms to nuclear pollution, including the regulation of DNA and cell damage, gene expression and protein synthesis caused by nuclear pollution, as well as the impact of nuclear pollution on the adaptation and resistance mechanisms of organisms. A deeper understanding of these physiological response mechanisms can help researchers better understand the long-term effects of nuclear pollution on organisms. Keywords Nuclear pollution; Marine life; Reaction mechanism; Ecological impact; Physiological response Marine organisms are one of the oldest and most diverse forms of life on Earth, forming complex and sophisticated ecosystems in the vast marine environment. However, with the development of human society, nuclear pollution has emerged as a severe global environmental issue, impacting not only terrestrial ecosystems but also posing a profound threat to the health of marine ecosystems. Nuclear pollution primarily refers to the environmental damage caused by the residues of nuclear substances, including pollution caused by nuclear radiation, atomic dust, and secondary pollution resulting from the impact of these substances on the environment, such as harm to humans and animals from water sources contaminated with nuclear substances. The issues of nuclear pollution stem from various factors, including the development of nuclear energy, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear accidents, and the disposal of nuclear waste, all of which contribute to the release and accumulation of radioactive substances in the marine environment. Consequently, marine ecosystems are exposed to the threats posed by various radioactive isotopes, including radioactive iodine, strontium, plutonium, etc. (Fereshteh et al., 2021), which can elicit a wide range of physiological responses in marine organisms. The physiological responses of marine organisms to nuclear pollution constitute a complex research field, involving various levels such as biochemical processes, gene expression regulation, metabolism, and adaptive mechanisms within organisms (Cui, 2018). The significant impact of nuclear pollution on marine ecosystems has led to numerous environmental problems, with the most severe being genetic damage to marine organisms. Radiation can alter the genetic material of marine organisms, leading to genetic mutations and other harmful effects. These mutations can be passed down through generations, resulting in long-term genetic damage to marine populations.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==