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Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability (www.sciencealert.com)

submitted 7 months ago by A_A@lemmy.world to c/science@lemmy.world

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"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

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[-] a4ng3l@lemmy.world 14 points 7 months ago

It eats the radiation, not its source though. The emitter would have to be removed. Maybe it could be used in shielding ? Like in space where background radiation seems to be a problem.

[-] _stranger_@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago

It needs carbon to grow, so it would be a CO2 scrubber AND a source of food assuming it's edible. 🤔🤔🤔

[-] a4ng3l@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

I would not be eating something with a radioactive-based diet in space… that’s like 2 steps away from opening the gates of hell of something like that xD

[-] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

Fantastic thing though: It doesn't "eat" radiation in the sense that it becomes radioactive itself. It just absorbs the energy from the radiation, like plants absorb sunlight, to power a synthesis that lets it convert CO2 to organic material.