Biological effects of galactic radiation HZE particles in experiments on the orbital station Salyut 7

• Published in: Advances in space research Vol. 9; no. 11; p. 47
• Main Authors: Miller, A T, Nevzgodina, L V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1989
• Subjects: Cosmic Radiation - adverse effects; Cotyledon - cytology; Cotyledon - growth & development; Cotyledon - radiation effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Germination - radiation effects; Lactuca - cytology; Lactuca - growth & development; Lactuca - radiation effects; Linear Energy Transfer; Meristem - cytology; Meristem - growth & development; Meristem - radiation effects; Plant Roots - cytology; Plant Roots - growth & development; Plant Roots - radiation effects; Plant Shoots - cytology; Plant Shoots - growth & development; Plant Shoots - radiation effects; Radiation Dosage; Radiometry; Seeds - cytology; Seeds - growth & development; Seeds - radiation effects; Space Flight; Weightlessness
• ISSN: 0273-1177
• DOI: 10.1016/0273-1177(89)90053-7

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds were flown on-board the orbital station Salyut 7 for 66-457 days. It was found that a single heavy charged particle (HZE) hitting a seed only slightly affects the subsequent plant growth. However, morphological anomalies of varying type in primordial leaves and roots were observed that show good correlation with the location of the particle track. The most severe damage detected by light and an electron microscopy were "channels" in dry and soaked seeds. The appearance of "channels" seems to be related to the LET of the incident particle. This finding is of considerable importance for assessment of space flight radiation hazard.