Chernobyl Fungus Feeds on Radiation
2025-02-23
Scientists have discovered a black fungus, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, thriving in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. This fungus not only survives but actively absorbs gamma radiation, using it as an energy source in a process dubbed 'radiosynthesis'. Its melanin pigment plays a key role in this radiation absorption and energy conversion. This remarkable adaptation opens up possibilities for bioremediation of radioactive waste and even radiation shielding for space travel, highlighting the resilience of life in extreme environments.