The "black fungus" growing at the site of the Chornobyl disaster survives by feeding on radiation, and its properties could revolutionize the space industry - in particular, regarding the protection of spacecraft crews and extraterrestrial colonies from cosmic rays. This is stated in a material by Interesting Engineering, reports UNN.
Details
It is noted that back in 1997, Nelly Zhdanova, a Ukrainian mycologist, discovered black mold colonizing the highly radioactive ruins of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, growing on walls, ceilings, and even inside the reactor building. Investigations showed that the fungi interact with ionizing radiation in a special way.
This remarkable discovery - that life can thrive and grow in the presence of radiation - challenged established notions about the resilience of life. It also opened up the potential for using this mold in areas such as cleaning radioactive sites and protecting astronauts from cosmic radiation in space.
It is indicated that ionizing radiation, which usually destroys DNA and cells, turned out to be a nutrient for these resilient fungi. At the same time, melanin - a pigment that gives color to human skin and protects against ultraviolet radiation - took on the function of protecting and absorbing radiation.
A 2007 study found that melanized fungi grew 10 percent faster when exposed to radioactive cesium, suggesting they actively used radiation for metabolic energy. This process was called radiosynthesis.
The energy of ionizing radiation is approximately a million times higher than the energy of white light used in photosynthesis. So, you need a fairly powerful energy converter, and that's what we think melanin can do - convert ionizing radiation into useful energy.
In turn, NASA astrobiologist Lynn Rothschild envisions "myco-architecture" - habitats grown from fungi on the Moon or Mars. These living walls will not just be structural: they will be self-healing radiation shields, grown in situ, significantly reducing launch costs. By colonizing a toxic site like Chornobyl, these fungi may eventually protect astronauts in the near future.
Recall
Dogs with blue fur were recorded in the Chornobyl exclusion zone. Volunteers suspect that the animals may have come into contact with a chemical substance and are trying to catch them for examination.