Chernobyl's Survivor Species: The Radiation-Feasting Fungi

In the eerie and toxic environment of Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone, radiation-eating fungi like Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Cryptococcus neoformans_** have found an extraordinary way to thrive. These fungi possess a remarkable ability to harness radiation as a source of energy, a process known as radiotrophic growth. They achieve this by producing melanin, a pigment that not only gives them their dark color but also absorbs radiation, converting it into a form of energy to fuel their growth. This incredible adaptation allows them to flourish in one of the most radioactive environments on Earth. Studying these fungi provides valuable insights into how life can adapt to extreme conditions and opens up potential applications for cleaning up radioactive waste and understanding life in space.