Strange discovery in Chernobyl/Mysterious black mushroom that "feeds" on radioactivity

2025-12-01 11:43:00, Kuriozitete CNA

Strange discovery in Chernobyl/Mysterious black mushroom that "feeds"

A strange discovery in the ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has piqued the interest of the scientific community. A black fungus appears to not only withstand radiation, but also use it to grow.

The discovery, first made in 1997 by biologist Nelly Zhdanova, overturned long-held beliefs about the limits of life on Earth. When Zhdanova entered the damaged reactor, she noticed black fungus growing on the walls, pipes, and metal surfaces. In an area that had been closed to humans due to high levels of radiation, the fungus had not only survived, but had "invaded" the heart of the radioactive source.

Strange discovery in Chernobyl/Mysterious black mushroom that "feeds"

The researcher discovered that the phenomenon was no coincidence: the mold's structures seemed to orient themselves towards the radioactive particles, in a behavior she called "radiotropism."

Melanin plays a central role in this unique adaptation. The pigment that gives cells their dark color appears to act as a shield against ionizing radiation, absorbing and scattering its energy. Subsequent studies have strengthened this hypothesis. In 2007, scientist Ekaterina Dadachova found that some melanized species of fungi grew faster when exposed to radioactive cesium. She even suggested that they could “feed” on radiation, in a process she likened to “radiosynthesis.”

Although the theory has not yet been fully proven, the new findings have given further impetus to the debate. In 2018, samples of the same fungus traveled to the International Space Station. Exposed to cosmic rays, they grew faster there compared to their counterparts on Earth. In addition, scientists noticed that the thin layers of the mold blocked some of the radiation, acting as a natural "barrier."

With plans for bases on the Moon and Mars moving forward, the need for lightweight, effective materials to protect against cosmic radiation is more urgent than ever. That's why some researchers are seriously considering the possibility of "fungal architecture": biological walls and structures that would grow in place and protect astronauts.

As strange as it may sound, a mold that grew inside the most dangerous ruins of Chernobyl could hold the key to safer space travel. It appears to be repeating a life cycle where nature finds a way to thrive even in the most inhospitable environments. /CNA