Techniques for detecting radiation effects on biochemical and physiological systems in aquatic organisms

A review is given of useful techniques in detecting somatic effects due to external radiation, especially on the biochemical and physiological systems of aquatic organisms. The most radiosensitive systems are the haematopoietic and reproductive stem cells within the organism and therefore they are potentially most useful in studies of radiation effects at low exposure levels. In poikilotherm organisms the haematopoietic system is important not only in vital metabolic activities but also in maintaining physiological homeostasis of the body; therefore this system can also be a sensitive indicator of syndromes associated with sub-lethal effects of ionizing radiation. Other physico-chemical and physiological techniques are also discussed. (author)