Radiotrophic Fungi in Chernobyl

Due to the result of an unexpected power surge and steam buildup, the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in Pripyat, Ukraine on April 26, 1986. This explosion released a great number of radioactive substances into the atmosphere, causing havoc to Ukraine and its neighboring countries through the severe radioactive contamination of the environment. The damage brought upon by this alarming incident was both immediate and immense, resulting in effects such as radioactive sickness, cataracts, thyroid cancer (especially common among children), and the genetic mutation of plants and wildlife. While this radiation poses a serious threat to the health of humans and plants/animals alike, certain fungal species benefit from its effects.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Wangiella dermatitis, and Cryptococcus neoformans are all types of radiotrophic fungus that can be found thriving around and inside the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. These extremophile organisms are able to survive in places as hazardous as Chernobyl because they contain melanin. Similar to how plants capture sunlight using chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis to produce glucose, these radiotrophic fungi capture gamma radiation using melanin in the process of radiosynthesis to produce their needed form of energy. Opposite to how other organisms react in the presence of radiation, these melanized fungi grow faster and stronger in high radiation areas, making them one of the most fascinating organisms to exist on Earth.

Picture Source: businessinsider.com