chaos and noise

Cosmos have put an an article up about fungi that may be using 'radiosynthesis' - drawing energy from ionising radiation. The black fungi was retrieved by a robot probe exploring the depths of Chernobyl's damaged reactor.

Apparently, the melanin-rich fungi grow larger and faster when in the presence of radiation. Other fungi have been observed growing towards radioactive particles in the soil, particularly in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. If the ability to draw energy directly from radiation sources (UV/vis from sunlight, for example) is shared by other melanised fungi, I wonder what impact that will have on ecosystem models. Being a combination of primary producer and decomposer puts them at both ends of the food chain at once :)

The article briefly raises the possibility of melanin-rich fungi forming a self-replenishing food source for long space missions. I can't help but picture a deserted ship, no crew on board, with black fungi creeping across all the internal surfaces... waiting until the drifting ship carries spores to some distant world.

This is the hour when moonstruck poets know
What fungi sprout in Yuggoth, and what scents
And tints of flowers fill Nithon's continents,
Such as in no poor earthly garden blow.
Yet for each dream these winds to us convey,
A dozen more of ours they sweep away!
- H.P. Lovecraft - The Fungi from Yuggoth