A species of black fungus, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, found at the Chernobyl disaster site, has adapted to “feed” on nuclear radiation. The fungus was observed growing on the walls of Reactor 4, and uses radiation as an energy source, similar to how plants use sunlight, according to The Daily Mail.
The fungus’s ability to harness radiation is due to melanin, the pigment that gives human skin its color. In this fungus, melanin absorbs gamma radiation and converts it into chemical energy through a process called radiosynthesis. This adaptation allows the fungus to thrive in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a highly radioactive area since the 1986 nuclear meltdown.
Scientists are exploring the potential of using this fungus to develop radiation shields for astronauts during deep space missions. The harsh radioactive environment of space poses a significant challenge for long-duration missions, with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) exposed to radiation levels equivalent to one year’s exposure on Earth in just one week. Research on the ISS has shown that the fungus can block and absorb 84 percent of space radiation, suggesting its radiosynthesis ability could be beneficial in space environments.
The discovery of this fungus’s unique adaptation highlights the resilience of life in extreme conditions and opens new avenues for protecting humans from radiation, both on Earth and in space.
The fungus isn’t the only species to adapt to the radiated environment. Wild dogs living in the area have developed an immunity to the radiation, while wolves have shown resistance to certain forms of cancer.
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