The Chernobyl exclusion zone may be off-limits to humans, but ever since the Unit Four reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded nearly 40 years ago, other forms of life have not only moved in but survived, adapted, and appeared to thrive.

“That fungus is called Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and some scientists think its dark pigment – melanin – may allow it to harness ionizing radiation through a process similar to the way plants harness light for photosynthesis. This proposed mechanism is even referred to as radiosynthesis.”

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39553283 https://libretechni.ca/post/483480

  • jj4211@lemmy.worldEnglish
    271·
    2 days ago

    Akin to how plants photosynthesize without doing anything to the sun.

    At least there it does provide shade, though I doubt the fungus would provide a whole lot of shielding…

    • frongt@lemmy.zipEnglish
      11·
      2 days ago

      If it’s absorbing the energy, then it’s not passing through. That’s shielding.

      But like light shining through a plant’s leaves, it probably doesn’t absorb anywhere near all the energy, so probably not useful as actual shielding material.

      • village604@adultswim.fanEnglish
        3·
        2 days ago

        But, like any shielding, the thickness matters. And if this stuff could also convert CO2 to oxygen, having a bunch would be a good thing.