[en] One problem brought about with the construction of the first nuclear power plant is in the generation and potential release of radioactive materials. The release of this potential pollutant to the environment should be subjected to a series of assessments and controls. This article discusses the Radioactivity Surveillance Program for the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant - I (PNPP-I) which was developed primarily, to compile sufficient information to permit the accurate prediction of the impact associated with a known discharge of radionuclides in the environment and to identify the probable critical pathway of radiation and radioactivity in the environment associated with inadvertent and unmonitored release. The Surveillance Program is composed of 3 phases, the preliminary, pre-operational, and operational. Background radiological characteristics of the site are now being gathered for study evaluation. Different steps of data analysis are explained and these pre-operational data will be the bases of comparison of data gathered when the nuclear plant will be in operation. The main purpose is to undertake prompt evaluation of whatever consequent radiation doses to the public could be assessed. (RTD)

[en] The study determined the influence of storage temperature and gamma irradiation on sprouting and levels of endogenous growth regulators in the bulbs of Allium cepa L. Red Creole. Unirradiated and irradiated bulbs kept at 0+-2⁰C failed to sprout during a 52 week storage period. An irradiation dose of 10 krad, however decreased the rate of sprouting and inhibited sprout elongation in bulbs stored at 28-32⁰C. Bioassays of extracts from unirradiated and irradiated bulbs kept at 28-32⁰C and sampled at different times during the 52-week storage period indicated a rise in GA_3- and a decline in ABA-like activity as the percentage of sprouting increased. This trend was evident after 12 weeks and progressed with longer storage periods. Auxin- and kinetin-like activity, however were detected only shortly before or upon the commencement of sprouting in both unirradiated and irradiated bulbs. The estimated levels of endogenous GA_3- like substance were however, lower and ABA-like substances higher in irradiated than in unirradiated bulbs stored at 28-32⁰C. Although ABA-like activity of extracts from unirradiated and irradiated bulbs maintained at 0+-2⁰C apparently decreased as the storage time lengthened, this remained fairly high throughout the 52 week period, GA-like activity in some extracts seemed to increase during storage but remained fairly low. The non-detection of IAA- and kinetin-like activity, throughout the 52 week period also characterized both unirradiated and irradiated bulbs stored at 0+-2⁰C. (Auth.) 5 figs.; 7 tabs.; 39 refs

[en] Dominant seeds of peanut were treated with varying doses of fast neutrons employing efficient pre- and post-irradiation techniques for determination of various plant responses useful in a long range program of mutation breeding. Mean reductions in seedling height and frequency of M1 somatic mutations increased with increasing radiation dose. No reduction in M1 seedset was obtained even in the dose above the LD50 of 1600 rads. The frequency of M2 macromutations ranged from only 3.60 - 5.65 per 100 M2 plants. The genetic basis of each of these radiation responses is briefly discussed. The high sensitivity of M1 peanut seedlings and growing plants to fast neutrons is probably due to the highly differentiated seed embryo at the time of irradiation while the radioresistance exhibited by the matured plant appears to be related to the polyploid genome of the species. (Auth.)

[en] This paper presents the author's researches on the disadvantages of nuclear power plants and particularly cites specific instances of PWR reactors that malfunctioned and caused the release of deadly radioactive effluents. (ELC)

[en] An orientation survey was done in Northwestern Mindoro using X-ray fluorescence as the main analytical tool. A total of 33 stream sediment samples were analyzed for uranium, cerium, barium, tin, lead, zinc, copper, calcium, nickel, iron, manganese, titanium, silver, rubidium, thorium, niobium, strontium, zirconium, ytterium and molybdenum. The results obtained by X-ray fluorescence were compared with those obtained by AAS and DNAA. Though there were some differences, it was believed that for geochemical reconnaissance purposes, XRF, DNAA and AAS would show substantionally general similar trends in element distribution. (author)

[en] Reviews the studies on the use of mutagens in the Philippines. Cited are works done at the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission on the induction of mutation and selection of better plants, and at the University of the Philippines on basic research. Includes a comprehensive list of references on mutation. (ELC)

[en] The effects of gamma irradiation and cold storage on the mitotic activity and electrophoretic patterns of soluble proteins in the buds of potato tubers were studied. Although gamma irradiation and cold storage did not significantly affect the mitotic index of emergent sprout, both were effective in prolonging bud dormancy. Sprouting was characterized by changes in the levels and electrophoretic patterns of soluble protein proteins in bud. (Auth.)

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No abstract available