A long term study of the desiccation resistance of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans from the Mexican nuclear power plant "Laguna Verde".

The generation of electricity through the use of radioactive material at the nuclear power plant is inevitably associated with the production of wastes, some of which have potential impact on the biosphere. The objective of the present investigation was to provide information for evaluating the presumed impact of the Mexican Nuclear Power Plant "Laguna Verde" on the natural populations. Two sibling species that live in the immediate vicinity, Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans have been studied for several traits in a long term study. The present study describes results for the desiccation resistance (DR) trait obtained during the period from 1995 to 2002. Flies were collected at two sites, one near the reactors and another farther away. The data obtained confirmed that D. melanogaster had higher DR values than D. simulans at both sites. The analysis of the results obtained from both species of the site closer to the reactor indicated that the values of the DR in the operational stage did not change, compared with those in the preoperational stage previously analyzed. Therefore, the significant differences found between the monitored sites did not seem to be associated to the operation of the reactors.

Radioresistance of sibling Drosophila species from Laguna Verde, Veracruz, México.

PURPOSE: To identify and quantify if the generation of electricity by nuclear power plants produces an increase in background radiation that might affect the radioresistance of organisms that live in that area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Natural populations of two sibling species of Drosophila, D. melanogaster and D. simulans, living in the immediate vicinity of the Mexican Nuclear Power Plant in Laguna Verde were studied for 10 years. Collections of flies were made at two sites, one close to and one further from two reactors, during both the pre-operational and operational stages of the reactors. The effect of exposure to various doses of gamma-rays on egg-to-adult survival of the flies was analysed. RESULTS: The data obtained indicate that in both sites, egg-to-adult survival was higher in D. melanogaster than in D. simulans. There was an increase in the egg-to-adult survival during the pre-operational period of one of the reactors and the possible causes are discussed. No differences were found between the two sites. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis indicates that the reactors do not have a negative impact on the Drosophila populations studied.