Regulatory radiation risks for the population and natural objects within the semipalatinsk test site

Advisability of using risks as indicators for estimating radiation impacts on environmental objects and humans has been justified. Results are presented from identification of dose burdens distribution to various cohorts of the population living within the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) and consuming contaminated farm products. Parameters of dose burden distributions are estimated for areas of livestock grazing and the most contaminated sectors within these areas. Dose distributions to meadow plants for the above areas have been found. Regulatory radiation risks for the STS population and meadow ecosystem components have been calculated. Based on the parameters estimated, levels of radiation exposure of the population and herbaceous plants have been compared

Estimation of radiation non-regulatory stochastic risks for meadow plants of the semipalatinsk test site

An algorithm and formulas to estimate non-regulatory stochastic risks (for biota and humans) have been derived. These were used to assess radiation risks for meadow plants within the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS). It has been shown that on small plots with relatively high radiation levels (∼ 0.25 mGy/h) the radiation risks of death of radiosensitive plants (leguminous and coniferous shrubs) have a noticeable value (> 2%). In the other STS area, radiation is not a danger to the vegetation

Quantum design of photosynthesis for bio-inspired solar-energy conversion

Photosynthesis is the natural process that converts solar photons into energy-rich products that are needed to drive the biochemistry of life. Two ultrafast processes form the basis of photosynthesis: excitation energy transfer and charge separation. Under optimal conditions, every photon that is absorbed is used by the photosynthetic organism. Fundamental quantum mechanics phenomena, including delocalization, underlie the speed, efficiency and directionality of the charge-separation process. At least four design principles are active in natural photosynthesis, and these can be applied practically to stimulate the development of bio-inspired, human-made energy conversion systems