The aim of this work is to analyze the effects of ionizing radiation and radionuclides (like ¹³⁷Cs) in several higher plants located around the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), evaluating both their adaptive processes and evolution. After the FNPP accident in March 2011 much attention was focused to the biological consequences of ionizing radiation and radionuclides released in the area surrounding the nuclear plant. This unexpected mishap led to the emission of radionuclides in aerosol and gaseous forms from the power plant, which contaminated a large area, including wild forest, cities, farmlands, mountains, and the sea, causing serious problems. Large quantities of ¹³¹I, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹³⁴Cs were detected in the fallout. People were evacuated but the flora continued to be affected by the radiation exposure and by the radioactive dusts’ fallout. The response of biota to FNPP irradiation was a complex interaction among radiation dose, dose rate, temporal and spatial variation, varying radiation sensitivities of the different plants’ species, and indirect effects from other events. The repeated ionizing radiations, acute or chronic, guarantee an adaptation of the plant species, demonstrating a radio-resistance. Consequently, ionizing radiation affects the genetic structure, especially during chronic irradiation, reducing genetic variability. This reduction is associated with the different susceptibility of plant species to chronic stress. This would confirm the adaptive theory associated with this phenomenon. The effects that ionizing radiation has on different life forms are examined in this review using the FNPP disaster as a case study focusing the attention ten years after the accident.

Este artigo apresenta o estado da arte dos materiais dosimétricos para aplicações em dosimetria pessoal e clínica. O objetivo é fornecer uma visão geral das vantagens e limitações dos dosímetros comerciais disponíveis mais usados, bem como novos materiais estudados na atualidade. Resumimos trabalhos recentes publicados sobre materiais cristalinos e vítreos mais discutidos e com melhores perspectivas para uso prático em dosimetria por Termoluminescência (TL), Luminescência Opticamente Estimulada (OSL), Radiofotoluminescência (RPL) e Ressonância de Spin Eletrônico (ESR), e ainda géis, dosímetros plásticos e emulsões superaquecidas. São tratadas novas formas de uso desses materiais, como fibras para dosimetria ativa, filmes dosimétricos para dosimetria 2D, e materiais que possam ser usados em dosimetria tridimensional. Os trabalhos atuais demonstram uma clara tendência da opção do uso cada vez maior de optoeletrônica para obtenção dos sinais e sua leitura.