←back to thread

Fungus in Chernobyl nuclear disaster zone has mutated to 'feed' on radiation (2024)

(www.unilad.com)
73 points thunderbong | 1 comments | 12 Nov 25 15:08 UTC | HN request time: 0.25s | source
Show context
tempfile ◴[12 Nov 25 16:33 UTC] No.45902191[source]▶
I assume it does not need to be mentioned that this does NOT "clean up" nuclear waste. It just means that the constant energy emitted by it can be harnessed by these fungi. The radioactive material will remain hazardous for the same amount of time as if the fungi did not exist.
replies(2): >>45902693 #>>45903394 #
matthewfcarlson ◴[12 Nov 25 17:59 UTC] No.45903394[source]▶
If I had a chunk of uranium but it was covered in an algae that absorbed all radiation out of the chunk, isn’t it much faster? As the effects of the uranium is largely mitigated.
replies(1): >>45903877 #
1. Akronymus ◴[12 Nov 25 18:28 UTC] No.45903877[source]▶
At most it'd act as a form of shielding, pretty sure. Even if it were to incorporate the uranium, the "best" effect you'd get is diffusion of the chunk.