Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability
10 days ago
- #Chernobyl
- #Fungi
- #Radiation
- The Chernobyl exclusion zone has become a habitat for various forms of life, including a black fungus called Cladosporium sphaerospermum, which thrives in high-radiation environments.
- Scientists discovered that C. sphaerospermum and other melanin-rich fungi flourish in ionizing radiation, possibly using melanin to harness energy in a process called radiosynthesis, similar to photosynthesis in plants.
- Experiments showed that C. sphaerospermum grows better under ionizing radiation and may use melanin both as an energy converter and a protective shield against harmful radiation effects.
- A 2022 study exposed C. sphaerospermum to cosmic radiation on the ISS, revealing its potential as a radiation shield, though the exact mechanism of radiosynthesis remains unproven.
- Other melanized fungi, like Wangiella dermatitidis and Cladosporium cladosporioides, show varied responses to radiation, suggesting that C. sphaerospermum's adaptation may be unique or context-dependent.
- The mystery of how C. sphaerospermum thrives in extreme radiation highlights the resilience of life and the potential for unknown biological processes.