Chernobyl lands cleared for cultivation: A new dawn in agriculture
Scientists have confirmed that the lands around Chernobyl can be cultivated once again. Research indicates that the radiation level is lower than in many other regions of the world. A special protocol has been developed to calculate the absorption of elements by plants such as potatoes and grains.
Key information
- New studies suggest that the lands around Chernobyl are safe enough for cultivation.
- Scientists have created a method to assess radioactive contamination in plants.
- There is the potential to cultivate 49,000 acres of land in the exclusion zone.
The area surrounding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant may soon be suitable for agricultural use. Scientists from Ukraine and the United Kingdom conducted studies suggesting that thousands of acres are now safe enough for reuse, according to National Geographic.
A research team from the University of Portsmouth and the Ukrainian Institute of Agricultural Radiology developed a protocol for assessing radioactive contamination. This allows for calculating the absorption of radioactive elements by plants such as potatoes, corn, sunflowers, and grains. Tests on a 250-acre field showed that the radiation level is lower than in many other parts of the world.
Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth highlights that the research results can help counter misinformation about radiation risks in the Chernobyl region. The discovery may also contribute to the revitalization of the area and enhance Ukraine's food security.
The research team estimates that it is possible to safely cultivate 49,000 acres of land in the exclusion zone, reports National Geographic. This discovery opens new opportunities for the region, which for years was deemed dangerous and unusable.
The Chernobyl disaster: Exclusion zone as a wildlife habitat
The disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant occurred during the night of April 25-26, 1986, in reactor number 4. The accident resulted in the overheating of the reactor core and an explosion. It was the largest disaster in the history of nuclear energy and one of the largest industrial disasters of the 20th century.
As a result of the complete destruction of the reactor, an area ranging from 48,300 to 56,300 square miles was contaminated with radiation. Up to 350,000 people were evacuated and resettled. It's estimated that about 30 people died during the firefighting operation, but due to radiation-related illnesses, as many as 200,000 people may have lost their lives.
The exclusion zone extends 19 miles in radius. Some residents returned to Chernobyl and are known as "samosyly." The zone has become a refuge for wildlife, with wolves, bison, and lynxes observed.
