The Effect of Radionuclide and Chemical Contamination on Morphological and Anatomical Parameters of Plants

This article presents the results of a study of the influence of radionuclide and chemical pollution on the morphological and anatomical parameters of <i>Calamagróstis epigéjos</i> plants growing in the territory of "Degelen" at the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS). Quantitative data of morphological and anatomical parameters are given, and the content of radionuclides and toxic elements in samples of plants obtained. Statistical processing of the obtained data was conducted. The results revealed that elevated concentrations of radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr, and the calculated absorbed dose, do not have effects on plants. Changes in the anatomical parameters of leaves and stems were observed at elevated concentrations of the elements: for leaves-Al, Pb, Sr, U, Ni, Rb, Sm; for stems-Al, Cr, Cd, U, Cu, Be, Ni, Sm, Fe. The mesophyll of the leaves and the epidermis of the stems were the most exposed to toxic elements. The data of the anatomical parameters are recommended to be used as indicative parameters of plants grown in chemically contaminated areas.