Chernobyl Fungus: The Radiation-Eating Organism That Surprised Scientists

In the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, scientists discovered an unexpected survivor: fungi that not only endured the extreme radiation but seemed to thrive in it. These organisms, later found inside the reactor itself, have fascinated researchers for decades due to their unique ability to absorb and even utilize radiation.

Discovery in the Exclusion Zone

In 1991, five years after the Chernobyl meltdown, a group of researchers found black, melanin-rich fungi growing on the walls of Reactor No. 4. Rather than dying from the radiation, the fungi appeared to be growing toward the radiation source — a behavior known as radiotropism. Their presence sparked curiosity among scientists around the world.

How the Fungus Absorbs Radiation

These fungi produce high amounts of melanin, a pigment that also exists in human skin. The melanin seems to help the fungi conve