A fungus has developed in one of the most radioactive reactors at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
It can absorb radiation.
Cladosporium sphaerospermum has been found growing on the walls of the infamous No. 4 nuclear reactor, where the highest levels of radiation have been detected.
What is the Chernobyl mold?
The fungus was discovered in the late 1990s by microbiologist Nelli Zhdanova of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences.
It was one of them 39 species discovered in growth on the walls and other parts of the appliance.
A reactor at the plant melted down in 1986, releasing smoke and causing thousands of radiation-related deaths.
An entire city, Pripyat, was evacuated and remains deserted to this day, within a 30 kilometer exclusion zone.
Cladosporium sphaerospermum is sometimes confused with black mold because the color can be olive green, brown or black.
In the long list of quirks, it is xerotolerant, meaning it can grow easily without water.
Inhaling the spores can cause sneezing, runny noses and itching. People with asthma can also experience breathing problems.
How does it work? Chernobyl mold feeds on radiation?
Scientists think the fungus’ melanin – a pigment that determines things like our hair, skin and eye color – makes it possible to absorb radiation.
Just as plants absorb sunlight for photosynthesis, these fungi do the radioactive equivalent, called radiosynthesis.
Could be Chernobyl mold 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 is not that concerned about cosmic radiation.
This radiation is produced by supernovas – when stars collapse – and particles spewed out by our sun and can cause health problems for astronauts.
As the US and China plan to build moon bases, and dreams of putting astronaut boots on Mars are floated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, scientists are looking for a way to protect people from cosmic rays.
Yet cladosporium sphaerospermum ‘grows better in space’, Averesch said about his study where it was sent to the International Space Station in 2018.
When exposed to cosmic radiation for 26 days, the fungi grew 1.21 times faster than when they were on Earth.
Although Averesch said this could be due to microgravity, Averesch’s team also tested the melanin and found that it acts almost like a force field.
Even a little mold on a petri dish protected it from radiation.
The researchers said: “Given the relatively thin layer of biomass, this may indicate a high ability of C. sphaerospermum to absorb space radiation in the measured spectrum.”
Lynn J Rothschild, an astrobiologist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, suggested this build mold furniture and walls to act as a radiation barrier.
The fungi could ultimately help clean up radioactive waste – and even protect people from radiation during 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 to gain a permanent foothold on Earth’s next rock by 2028, humanity is reaching for Mars as the next great leap in space exploration.
“In preparation for long-duration human exploration missions that extend beyond Earth’s orbit and deeper into space, the capabilities required are increasing significantly.”
‘Therefore, every mission scenario must include innovative solutions that can meet the needs and address the hazards of long-term habitation on celestial surfaces.
“The most significant threat to the short- and long-term health of astronauts during long-duration missions in deep space is radiation.”
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