In the radioactive ruins of Chernobyl, black fungi have revealed a remarkable ability to survive and even thrive amid extreme radiation, offering insights that could help protect life in space.

Ukrainian scientist Nelli Zhdanova first discovered the fungi in May 1997 inside the destroyed number four reactor. Instead of the expected silence, she found black mould clinging to walls, ceilings, and metal surfaces, showing resilience in one of the deadliest environments on Earth. Scientists call this phenomenon radiotropism, where fungi grow toward ionizing radiation, which is normally lethal to living cells.

Zhdanova found 36 other fungal species in the contaminated reactor area, but the radiation-loving fungi were unique. Research shows that their high melanin content, the pigment that gives them their black color, absorbs and dissipates radiation, acting as an antioxidant and protecting cells from damage. Similar patterns were observed in frogs in Chernobyl lakes, whose darker skin offered better radiation protection.

Further studies by nuclear scientist Ekaterina Dadachova in 2007 suggested that melanin-containing fungi may even use radiation energy for metabolism, a process known as radiosynthesis. Her team observed that fungi exposed to radioactive cesium grew faster than unexposed specimens.

The species Cladosporium sphaerospermum, first observed by Zhdanova, was later sent to the International Space Station in 2018. There, it demonstrated the ability to grow under extreme cosmic radiation, confirming the fungi’s potential role in understanding radiation tolerance.

These discoveries are now guiding research on radiation protection for humans and other life forms in space. They highlight how life adapts to extreme conditions and open new possibilities for future deep-space exploration.

With inputs from NDTV