title: The radiocapacity factor using in the studying of the combined effect of γ-radiation and cadmium chloride on water plant culture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To show the possibility of a new approach using for the evaluation of biota's state in the ecosystem under the independent and combined effect of radiation and chemical factors. It is based on a radiocapacity factor analysis, defined as the maximum radionuclide quantity accumulated in biotic components of ecosystem that does not disturb major biota's functions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experiments were performed in the laboratory, where water culture of maize plants served as a simplified two-component model of ecological system as a "biota-environment" type. Plants were exposed to independent and combined effects of acute and fractionated γ-irradiation and CdCl2 salt application. The assessment of state of the biotic component i.e. the maize plants was performed by the growth parameters and changes of radiocapacity factors. The radiocapacity factor was defined as the ratio of current activity in water (medium) by the specifically inserted tracer - 137Cs to the initial value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our experimental data, the proposed parameter for the assessment of biotic components of the system state - the radiocapacity factor, proved to be very sensitive to influence of both radiation and chemical factors on the biota. Its response is corrected with the reaction of growth parameters and has been advanced compared to them. Therefore, it is appropriate to consider the possibility of radiocapacity factor using for the assessment of plants state under the harmful influences. In addition, based on the theory of radiocapacity, a model for the assessment of combined action of radiation (γ-exposure) and chemical factors (cadmium chloride) on the model of plant system has been developed and proposed. Thus, through the assessing the value of the proposed characteristics of interaction i.e. the synergism index we got an opportunity to draw the conclusions about the character of interaction of radiation and chemical factors that varies from synergy to antagonism.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pchelovska
mesh_terms: D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D014867:Water; D019256:Cadmium Chloride
keywords: cadmium chloride; radiocapacity; synergetic interaction; γ-irradiation