Inside one of the most radioactive reactors in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a fungus has evolved a bit of a quirk.
It can gobble up radiation.
Cladosporium sphaerospermum has been found growing on the walls of the notorious No. 4 nuclear reactor, where the highest levels of radiation have been detected.
What is the Chernobyl fungus?
The fungus was discovered in the late 1990s by microbiologist Nelli Zhdanova of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences.
It was one of some 39 species discovered growing on the walls and other parts of the unit.
A reactor at the plant melted down in 1986, releasing smoke and causing thousands of deaths from radiation.
An entire city, Pripyat, was evacuated and is abandoned to this day, lying within a 19-mile exclusion zone.
Cladosporium sphaerospermum is sometimes mistaken for black mould as it can be an olive green, brown or black colour.
In its long list of quirks, it is xerotolerance, meaning it can grow easily without water.
Inhaling the spores can cause sneezing, runny noses and itching – people with asthma may experience breathing difficulties, too.
How does Chernobyl fungus feed on radiation?
Scientists think the fungus’ melanin – a pigment which determines things like our hair, skin and eye colour – allows it to absorb radiation.
Much like how plants lap up sunlight for photosynthesis, these fungi do the radioactive equivalent, called radiosynthesis.
Could Chernobyl fungus be used in space travel?
A researcher of this strange fungus told the BBC that it could hold the key to space travel.
Nils Averesch, a biochemist at the University of Florida, explained to the broadcaster that C. sphaerospermum isn’t that fussed about cosmic rays.
This radiation is produced by supernovas – when stars collapse – and particles spat out by our sun and can cause health issues for astronauts.
As the US and China intend to build lunar bases, and dreams of placing an astronaut’s boots on Mars are being floated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, scientists are looking for a way to shield people from cosmic rays.
Yet, cladosporium sphaerospermum ‘grows better in space’, Averesch said of his study that saw it sent to the International Space Station in 2018.
When faced with cosmic radiation for 26 days, the fungi grew 1.21 times faster than when on Earth.
While Averesch said this could be chalked up to micro-gravity, Averesch’s team also tested its melanin and found it acts almost like a force field.
Even a dab of mould on a petri dish protected it from radiation.
The researchers said: ”Considering the comparatively thin layer of biomass, this may indicate a profound ability of C. sphaerospermum to absorb space radiation in the measured spectrum.’
Lynn J Rothschild, an astrobiologist at Nasa’s Ames Research Centre, has suggested we build fungal furniture and walls to act as radiation barriers.
The fungi could eventually help to clean up radioactive waste – and even protect humans from radiation during deep space missions.
A team of US researchers said in 2020: ‘With concrete efforts to return humans to the Moon by 2024 under the Artemis program and establish a permanent foothold on the next rock from Earth by 2028, humankind reaches for Mars as the next big leap in space exploration.
‘In preparation for prolonged human exploration missions venturing past Earth-orbit and deeper into space, the required capabilities significantly increase.’
‘Therefore, any mission scenario must include innovative solutions that can meet the needs and address the hazards of prolonged habitation on celestial surfaces.
‘The foremost threat to the short – and long-term health of astronauts on long-duration deep-space missions is radiation.’
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