International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 66-73 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 67 Therefore, the purpose of this study is to delve into how marine organisms generate physiological responses when faced with nuclear pollution and how these physiological responses affect the structure and function of marine ecosystems. In addition, the study discusses the sources and types of nuclear pollution, the basic structure of marine ecosystems, and the physiological response mechanisms of marine organisms as crucial components of ecosystems. Attention is also given to factors influencing the ecological effects of nuclear pollution, including the properties and concentration of radioactive substances, pollution sources and emission pathways, as well as ecosystem factors. This research aims to raise awareness of the issue of nuclear pollution, promote further research and collaboration, and ensure that marine ecosystems can continue to provide essential ecological services for humanity while preserving the beautiful and diverse world of marine organisms for future generations. 1 Sources and Types of Nuclear Pollution Nuclear pollution originates from two main channels: natural nuclear radiation and anthropogenic nuclear pollution. Natural nuclear radiation is is a type of nuclear radiation commonly present on Earth and includes radiation from radioactive isotopes in the Earth's crust, such as radioactive potassium and radioactive carbon. On the other hand, anthropogenic nuclear pollution stems from human activities, including nuclear energy development, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear accidents, and nuclear waste disposal. Nuclear pollution encompasses various types, involving different radioactive isotopes and isotopes. Uranium, plutonium, strontium, iodine, and radon are major representatives of nuclides in nuclear pollution, each possessing distinct chemical properties and radioactive characteristics. Consequently, marine organisms exhibit diverse physiological responses to these nuclides, and the control and protection of marine ecosystems from nuclear pollution require a comprehensive consideration of these sources and types of nuclides. 1.1 Natural nuclear radiation and anthropogenic nuclear pollution Natural nuclear radiation and anthropogenic nuclear pollution represent the two primary sources of nuclear pollution, playing crucial roles in its formation and impact. Natural nuclear radiation is inherent to Earth and originates from radioactive isotopes naturally present in the environment. These radioactive isotopes can be categorized into two types: natural isotopes and cosmic rays. Natural isotopes, such as radioactive potassium and radioactive carbon, etc., which exist in the Earth's crust, naturally distributed in crustal rocks, soil, and sediments, ultimately entering the oceans. On the other hand, cosmic rays consist of high-energy particle radiation from outer space, interacting with molecules in the atmosphere to generate radioactive isotopes (carbon-14), which then enter the oceans (Li, 2023). The presence of these natural nuclear radiations in marine ecosystems is inevitable and typically exists in low concentrations, resulting in relatively minor physiological responses in most marine organisms. Artificial nuclear pollution originates from human activities, including nuclear energy development, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear accidents, and nuclear waste disposal (Figure 1). These activities have led to the release of a large amount of radioactive materials into the marine environment, posing severe threats to marine ecosystems. Nuclear power plants represent a significant source of anthropogenic nuclear pollution, which may lead to radioactive substances such as uranium and plutonium into the oceans. Nuclear weapons testing releases large quantities of radioactive isotopes being released into the atmosphere, subsequently depositing through precipitation into the oceans, exerting irreversible impacts on ecosystems. Nuclear accidents, such as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, can lead to extensive nuclear pollution, causing large-scale release of radioactive isotopes and seriously affecting surrounding marine ecosystems, jeopardizing the survival and health of marine organisms. Additionally, nuclear waste disposal may result in the leakage and release of radioactive isotopes into the oceans. The characteristic feature of anthropogenic nuclear pollution is that it often leads to a significant increase in the concentration of radioactive substances, thereby posing greater ecological risks to marine organisms. Different types of radioactive isotopes vary in their sources and properties, consequently eliciting different physiological responses in marine organisms.
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