A black mould discovered in the ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant appears to feed on radiation, and scientists believe it could be used to protect astronauts from cosmic rays. The fungus, found by Ukrainian researcher Nelli Zhdanova in 1997, was growing on walls and conduits inside the exploded reactor building, where radiation levels remain dangerously high.
Zhdanova's earlier surveys of soil around Chernobyl had shown that the fungi were growing towards radioactive particles. This behaviour, which she called 'radiotropism', was unexpected because ionising radiation typically damages DNA and kills organisms. The mould's cell walls are packed with melanin, a pigment that absorbs radiation rather than deflecting it, dissipating the energy harmlessly.
The discovery has overturned assumptions about radiation's impact on life. Similar effects have been observed in frogs near Chernobyl, where darker individuals with more melanin have thrived. Researchers now believe that melanin-rich fungi could be used to clean up radioactive sites and provide a durable form of life support for space travel.
NASA is exploring the possibility of surrounding astronauts with walls of such fungi to shield them from cosmic rays. The material would be lighter than traditional shielding and could be grown in space, offering a renewable and adaptable solution for long-duration missions.
