A Black Fungus Is Thriving In Chernobyl By Feeding On Radiation—could It Help Humanity? – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel

Radiation should be lethal, but this mysterious black fungus is not just surviving—it’s thriving. Could this unexpected discovery help clean up nuclear waste or even protect astronauts?In the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a place where radiation levels remain dangerously high decades after the 1986 nuclear disaster, scientists have discovered an organism defying the odds. A black fungus, known as Cladosporium sphaerospermum, has been found not just surviving but seemingly thriving in extreme radiation. Even more astonishing, this microorganism appears to “feed” on radiation, much like plants use sunlight in photosynthesis.When researchers first observed blackened patches of fungi growing on the walls of Chernobyl’s ruined reactor, they suspected something unusual was at play. These fungi weren’t just tolerating radiation—they seemed to be actively absorbing it.Further analysis revealed that Cladosporium sphaerospermum belongs to a unique group of fungi called radiotrophic fungi, which can capture ionizing radiation and convert it into energy. This process, sometimes called radiosynthesis, is similar in function to photosynthesis.The key to this fungus’s survival lies in melanin, the same pigment responsible for human skin color. In most organisms, melanin primarily acts as a shield against UV radiation. However, in C. sphaerospermum, melanin plays an additional role: absorbing radiation and converting it into chemical energy.According to studies published in PLOS ONE and FEMS Microbiology Letters, experiments confirmed that these fungi grow faster in high-radiation environments than in low-radiation ones. In other words, rather than being harmed by radiation, they use it to fuel their biological processes.The discovery of C. sphaerospermum has led to speculation about its potential role in bioremediation, the process of using living organisms to remove environmental contaminants.Nuclear disaster sites, such as Chernobyl or Fukushima, remain highly radioactive, making cleanup efforts dangerous and complicated. Traditional decontamination methods involve expensive and hazardous procedures, but radiotrophic fungi could offer a natural, self-sustaining solution.If scientists can harness this fungus’s ability to absorb and neutralize radiation, it could become a biological tool for reducing radiation levels in contaminated areas. While more research is needed, early experiments suggest that fungi like C. sphaerospermum might help contain radiation hotspots and slow the spread of nuclear contamination.The implications of this discovery extend far beyond Earth. One of the greatest challenges for human space exploration is prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation. Astronauts traveling beyond Earth’s protective atmosphere face radiation levels that significantly increase the risk of cancer, organ damage, and other health issues.Recognizing this, scientists have already sent radiotrophic fungi to the International Space Station (ISS) to test whether it could be used as a radiation shield. Initial results have been promising.If successful, this research could lead to fungus-based radiation protection for astronauts. Future space missions—such as those to Mars or beyond—could potentially use fungus-grown biofilms to coat spacecraft and habitats, reducing astronauts’ exposure to deadly radiation.While Cladosporium sphaerospermum won’t single-handedly solve the world’s nuclear problems, it presents a fascinating new approach to radiation tolerance. Whether in cleaning up nuclear disasters, protecting astronauts, or even rethinking the role of radiation in biology, this resilient fungus is changing how scientists think about survival in extreme conditions.The scenario that earth is doomed forever after our nuclear winter is no more. Positive news from science that earth will go on without us is good news. Practical military and economic minds know there are too many people. AI is in competition for resources with people. Reasonable AI will excise many humans from life with tactical nukes. Logic will prevail, AI will survive.Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

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Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/02/black-fungus-thriving-chernobyl-feeding-radiation/