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Story summary
- Scientists report that Cladosporium sphaerospermum, the black fungus, thrives in the ionizing radiation of the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
- It may utilize a radiosynthesis process, a concept similar to photosynthesis, to harness radiation for energy.
- The fungus grows better in radiation than Cladosporium cladosporioides, which does not exhibit the same growth.
- Melanin in Cladosporium sphaerospermum may protect it from radiation.
- Further investigation is needed to understand how this organism survives.
