Chernobyl Mushrooms

Everyone is aware of what happened at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In 1986, there was an explosion, which proved to be one of the biggest calamities in human history. A 1,000-square-mile exclusion zone exists surrounding the site. Many animals and plants returned to the region when people were not around, but their radiation levels remained elevated as a result. A unusual kind of fungus is among the diverse animals present in the area.

Dark fungus have been observed growing in radioactive locations for some time. This melanin-colored fungus does not require the sun for energy. Instead, it appears to feed on the radiation, absorbing and feeding on it in the same way as a green leafed plant would convert sunlight energy into energy to develop through photosynthesis.

The melanin appears to protect the mushroom from the detrimental effects of radiation and convert it to useable energy. To test this, researchers attacked the fungus with gamma rays at 500 times the normal exposure level. As a result, the fungus grew three times quicker than usual.