Fungus Spawned by Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster May Hold Key to Protecting Astronauts on Mars

The worst nuclear accident in the history of the world may have produced something that can protect humans from deadly radiation both on Earth and in space. 

Experts say the fungus, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, may “eat” radiation and convert it into energy. It does so through a process called “radiosynthesis.” The process is much like the way plants react to sunlight. If proven, this black mold could be used to protect humans from radiation on Earth. It could also work in space. On Mars, the thin atmosphere and lack of a magnetic field mean it is exposed to radiation from space all the time.    

And unlike other radiation shields, the fungus grows. It grows in extreme places. And it even grows in microgravity. That means humans could grow radiation shields for astronauts on Mars with a small amount of this black mold to start. Scientists performed studies with this fungus on board the International Space Station. They showed that a thin layer of it grew faster than in tests performed on Earth. It was just 1.7-2 mm thick. The mold also appeared to reduce radiation levels.      

"What we showed is that it grows better in space," Nils Averesch told the BBC. He's a University of Florida biochemist. He also co-authored the ISS study on the mold.

The fungus was first found in 1997 by a Ukrainian microbiologist touring the ruins of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. This was the site of a plant explosion in 1986. The fire released a massive amount of radiation. It contaminated parts of Europe. And it killed at least 30 people within weeks. Thousands of others were exposed to radiation from the fallout. It likely shortened lives for a number of them.      

Reflect: How might learning about unexpected discoveries in science influence the way you think about the world and its possibilities?

Photo of abandoned bumper cars in Chernobyl, Ukraine from Unsplash courtesy of Yasemin Atalay.