The Role of Ionizing Radiation in the Biosphere and Human Evolution

Abstract—

Natural radiation is an integral component and obligatory factor in the self-development of the biosphere. There are two sources of natural radiation on Earth: radioactive elements in minerals of the Earth’s crust and inner geospheres and radiation belts, the existence of which was established in the late 1950s. The coevolution of living objects with natural factors, including ionizing radiation, occurs according to the mechanism of homeostatic self-regulation with the participation of negative feedback. Outside the zone of homeostasis, any living species falls into supercritical zones with positive feedbacks, where deviations from a stable state can become irreversible. The effect of ionizing radiation on biological objects has not been sufficiently studied, which is why existing radiation safety standards still do not take into account positive feedback. The author believes that it is necessary to develop a modern unified concept of radiation gene-natural coevolution, in which the radioecogeochemical law of nature, implemented through the periodic-rhythmic evolution of the biosphere, is substantiated from the position of system analysis. In other words, it is proposed to introduce the radiation factor into the prevailing Lamarck–Darwin theory of anthropogenesis as the main driving force. Spatiotemporal coincidence was established between the powerful geodynamic activity of the East African Rift, the operation of a natural nuclear reactor in the area of the Oklo uranium deposit (Gabon), and discharge from our humanoid ancestor—Australopithecus africanus, or afarensis. The article discusses some specific features of human genealogy under conditions of prolonged natural radiation. The dominant role of implicit memory in the awareness of ego stress in the formation of radiophobia is shown. The new direction, undoubtedly, should contribute to solving topical applied issues related to increasing safety in the construction of nuclear industry structures, overcoming radiophobia, increasing the radioresistance of ethnic groups, and optimizing of the regulatory framework of ROSATOM and the IAEA in the field of nuclear energy use.