title: An organ-based approach to dose calculation in the assessment of dose-dependent biological effects of ionising radiation in Arabidopsis thaliana.
abstract: There is a need for a better understanding of biological effects of radiation exposure in non-human biota. Correct description of these effects requires a more detailed model of dosimetry than that available in current risk assessment tools, particularly for plants. In this paper, we propose a simple model for dose calculations in roots and shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings exposed to radionuclides in a hydroponic exposure setup. This model is used to compare absorbed doses for three radionuclides, (241)Am (α-radiation), (90)Sr (β-radiation) and (133)Ba (γ radiation). Using established dosimetric calculation methods, dose conversion coefficient values were determined for each organ separately based on uptake data from the different plant organs. These calculations were then compared to the DCC values obtained with the ERICA tool under equivalent geometry assumptions. When comparing with our new method, the ERICA tool appears to overestimate internal doses and underestimate external doses in the roots for all three radionuclides, though each to a different extent. These observations might help to refine dose-response relationships. The DCC values for (90)Sr in roots are shown to deviate the most. A dose-effect curve for (90)Sr β-radiation has been established on biomass and photosynthesis endpoints, but no significant dose-dependent effects are observed. This indicates the need for use of endpoints at the molecular and physiological scale.
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Research, Universiteitslaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. Electronic address: geert.biermans@sckcen.be.
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biermans
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Horemans
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vanhoudt
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hildegarde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vandenhove
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Research, Universiteitslaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saenen
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Hees
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wannijn
authors.affiliation: SCK·CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vives i Batlle
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Research, Universiteitslaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuypers
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles / Q000009:adverse effects; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000009:adverse effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes
keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana; Biological effects; Plant dosimetry; Radionuclide transfer