Chernobyl’s Radiation-Eating Fungi

It seems that fungi in Chernobyl are thriving by utilizing gamma radiation as a food source, and they are progressing towards the heart of the reactor core.

A variety of fungi have been found to harness the energy of strong radiation, such as gamma radiation, to promote their growth. This was initially discovered when these fungi were observed flourishing in the highly radioactive surroundings of the Chernobyl reactor disaster site. The fungi use a pigment known as melanin, which not only shields them from the harmful effects of radiation but also enables them to convert the energy from the radiation, much like how plants utilize sunlight for photosynthesis. Interestingly, these fungi appear to switch to this unique energy source when they find themselves in environments lacking in nutrients, like the inside of the Chernobyl reactor.

Insights into these fungi and their melanin could potentially lead to a range of applications, such as creating protection against radiation, aiding in the clean-up of radioactive waste, and possibly even offering new sources of renewable energy in harsh environments where typical plants can’t survive.

10 Facts About Chernobyl That Will Give You the Creeps

A devastating nuclear disaster took place at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union on April 26, 1986. The incident is back in the public consciousness right now due to the success of the HBO show Chernobyl that dramatizes the events surrounding the accident.

Much of what happened before, during, and after the 1986 event is still the cause of much debate due to the secrecy of the Soviet Union. But one thing is for sure: the Chernobyl accident is considered the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history.

Here are 10 facts about the terrifying Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath.

1. Casualty rate: Unknown

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It’s sometimes strange how different paths in life come together and suddenly your path takes an unexpected direction. The path towards Chernobyl with @jonadbo. We have been there twice now and it remains such a special place because of its history. We ended up there to photograph abandoned locations and we got fascinated by the history. Ofcourse I have watched the HBO series and it’s made so accurate. It’s very realistic and I recognized so many places. I hope that the ghost town of Prypjat remains protected from mass tourism, that it does not deteriorate even more and that nature can still run its own way. So keep it nice. In the end we all have our reason to visit this city. First picture: @jonadbo #pripyat #chernobylzone #chernobyl #ukrain #decay #abandoned #deserted #netflix #disaster #rooftop #tsjernobyl #urbex #urbexphotography #belgiumphotography #belgiumphotographer #canonbelgium #urbexkings #abandonedafterthedark #urbextopia #urbexbelgie #forgotten #forgottenplace #chernobyltour @urbexchampions @urbex_kings @urbexeurope @urbex_3336 @abandonedafterdark @urbex_utopia @urbex_supreme @deurbex

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The number of victims that can be blamed on the accident ranges anywhere from 4,000 to 90,000. Two people died in the initial blast, 29 people died from radiation sickness in the months after the accident, and there are literally thousands that may die from radiation-related causes in the future.

2. A gruesome death

One of the first firefighters who responded to the accident scene was Vasily Ignatenko. He suffered a terrible two-week death from his exposure to radiation, including excreting blood and mucus 25 times a day and coughing up pieces of his own internal organs.

3. Other ailments

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⚠ On April 26, 1986, the fourth block was destroyed, the reactor was completely destroyed. The largest accident of this kind in the history of nuclear energy, the estimated number of dead and wounded and economic damage. ⠀ ⚠ 134 people suffered radiation sickness. More than 115 thousand people from the 30-kilometer zone were evacuated. More than 600 thousand people took part in the aftermath of the accident. During the first three months after the accident, 31 people died, another 19 deaths from 1987 to 2004 can be explained by its direct consequences. ⠀ ⚠ Unlike the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the explosion resembled a very powerful "dirty bomb" – radioactive contamination became the main striking factor.

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People in neighboring areas had to flee their homes and complained of such symptoms as “black spots,” bodies getting “fat, like a barrel,” and turning “black, like coal, and shrinking.”

4. Radiophobia

Because women were terrified of possible radiation poisoning, there were an estimated 100,000-200,000 abortions in Europe after the Chernobyl disaster.

5. Dead trees everywhere

The area around the nuclear power plant became known as The Red Forest because the trees died and turned a ginger color after the accident.

6. Lingerers

Although it’s illegal to live in the area around the plant known as the Zone of Alienation, or the Exclusion Zone, it’s estimated that 130-150 people still live there, many of them older women taking care of their family’s land.

7. Poor animals

If you’ve seen the show, you know that people were not allowed to evacuate with their pets. This actually happened and units were sent in to put the animals down.

8. But…there are still hundreds of dogs there

Descendants of the dogs who survived the aftermath of the disaster still live in the Exclusion Zone. There are an estimated 300 stray dogs here. You can help them out by donating HERE.

9. Tourist spot

Tourists can visit the Exclusion Zone, and it’s actually become pretty trendy after the success of the HBO show about the disaster.

10. Ghost town

There is an abandoned amusement park in nearby Pripyat that looks like something out of a horror film.

While it’s truly terrifying what happened at Chernobyl, the strength that the people of Russia have shown in the face of unimaginable devastation should be commended.

The post 10 Facts About Chernobyl That Will Give You the Creeps appeared first on UberFacts.

10+ Reasons Why “Chernobyl” Will Be Your New Obsession

Did you know that Chernobyl is the highest-rated television show ever on IMDB.

If those 3 reasons don’t convince you to watch, well…here are 12 more!

12. The ensemble cast is amazing

Image Credit: HBO

There’s no star of this show, which means we get to see how the disaster affected a wide range of people in different stages of “in the know.”

11. The production is flawless

Image Credit: HBO

From the direction and writing to the special effects and cinematography, Chernobyl is shot with as much care as any top-tier film.

10. Exhaustive research means the details are historically accurate

Image Credit: HBO

Screenwriter Craig Mazin tapped all sorts of resources while writing, including conversations with scientists, written testimonies, and published historical research.

9. Every character is compelling

Image Credit: HBO

You won’t have a favorite or someone you can universally root against – which means it’s as close to real life as it can get.

8. The critics love it

Image Credit: HBO

It’s 96% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes speaks for itself.

7. The truth of the story is legitimately terrifying

Image Credit: HBO

Chernobyl may not be classic horror, but considering the show chronicles real life events, it’s plenty scary.

If you’re not completely enraged by the end of it and asking yourself, “How could they just let all those people die needlessly?” …well, maybe see a therapist?

6. Like most history, it’s relevant

Image Credit: HBO

It might have happened in 1986, but the deep-dive into how unprepared governments can be to take on major incidents is so relevant even to this day.

Also, how tempting it can be to cover up mistakes feels equally (and painfully) relevant.

Will we ever learn?

5. The performances are award-worthy

Image Credit: HBO

You’ll have to take my word for it until award season arrives, but the case is top to bottom brilliant.

There’s not a single false or questionable performance in the bunch.

This show will run away with the Emmys. Guaranteed.

4. It’s a masterclass in building tension

Image Credit: HBO

It’s constantly winding you up to one new, horrible crescendo after another.

And, like the people who lived through it, none of us get a break. It just keeps going and going and going.

3. It has a feminist agenda

Image Credit: HBO

More than one woman is shown getting dismissed even though they know more than the man in charge.

Yeah, it’s infuriating, but there is some justice in the end.

2. You might learn a thing or two

Image Credit: HBO

Not only will you learn a bit about history, you might find yourself more knowledgable about radiation and physics while you’re at it.

No, hold that… you WILL know more about radiation and physics after you’re done watching it.

1. It’s a work of art

Image Credit: HBO

Every moment of every episode feels intentional and fully-realized, and the result makes it hard to look away from even the most horrible of scenes.

Seriously, just find a friend who hasn’t cancelled their HBO Go subscription yet and WATCH IT!

The post 10+ Reasons Why “Chernobyl” Will Be Your New Obsession appeared first on UberFacts.

10+ Reasons Why “Chernobyl” Will Be Your New Obsession

Did you know that Chernobyl is the highest-rated television show ever on IMDB.

If those 3 reasons don’t convince you to watch, well…here are 12 more!

12. The ensemble cast is amazing

Image Credit: HBO

There’s no star of this show, which means we get to see how the disaster affected a wide range of people in different stages of “in the know.”

11. The production is flawless

Image Credit: HBO

From the direction and writing to the special effects and cinematography, Chernobyl is shot with as much care as any top-tier film.

10. Exhaustive research means the details are historically accurate

Image Credit: HBO

Screenwriter Craig Mazin tapped all sorts of resources while writing, including conversations with scientists, written testimonies, and published historical research.

9. Every character is compelling

Image Credit: HBO

You won’t have a favorite or someone you can universally root against – which means it’s as close to real life as it can get.

8. The critics love it

Image Credit: HBO

It’s 96% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes speaks for itself.

7. The truth of the story is legitimately terrifying

Image Credit: HBO

Chernobyl may not be classic horror, but considering the show chronicles real life events, it’s plenty scary.

If you’re not completely enraged by the end of it and asking yourself, “How could they just let all those people die needlessly?” …well, maybe see a therapist?

6. Like most history, it’s relevant

Image Credit: HBO

It might have happened in 1986, but the deep-dive into how unprepared governments can be to take on major incidents is so relevant even to this day.

Also, how tempting it can be to cover up mistakes feels equally (and painfully) relevant.

Will we ever learn?

5. The performances are award-worthy

Image Credit: HBO

You’ll have to take my word for it until award season arrives, but the case is top to bottom brilliant.

There’s not a single false or questionable performance in the bunch.

This show will run away with the Emmys. Guaranteed.

4. It’s a masterclass in building tension

Image Credit: HBO

It’s constantly winding you up to one new, horrible crescendo after another.

And, like the people who lived through it, none of us get a break. It just keeps going and going and going.

3. It has a feminist agenda

Image Credit: HBO

More than one woman is shown getting dismissed even though they know more than the man in charge.

Yeah, it’s infuriating, but there is some justice in the end.

2. You might learn a thing or two

Image Credit: HBO

Not only will you learn a bit about history, you might find yourself more knowledgable about radiation and physics while you’re at it.

No, hold that… you WILL know more about radiation and physics after you’re done watching it.

1. It’s a work of art

Image Credit: HBO

Every moment of every episode feels intentional and fully-realized, and the result makes it hard to look away from even the most horrible of scenes.

Seriously, just find a friend who hasn’t cancelled their HBO Go subscription yet and WATCH IT!

The post 10+ Reasons Why “Chernobyl” Will Be Your New Obsession appeared first on UberFacts.

People Are Flocking to the Site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster to Post Pics on Social Media

Due to the success of the hit HBO show Chernobyl, naturally now Instagram “influencers” are descending on the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine (and risking their health) to have their photos taken. Seems like kind of a disrespectful place to showcase your fabulous lifestyle, doesn’t it?

The show’s creator even tweeted this message out.

It kind of reminds me of this story about people taking “playful” photos at the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Get a load of these photos. Very bizarre…

1. Okay, that’s weird

2. Very stylish

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Chernobyl ☢ ☢ ☢

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3. Nuclear tourism

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Hbo выпустили последнюю серию своего нашумевшего сериала «чернобыль», который в рейтинге обошёл «игру престолов», так что я тут не могу не поделиться сборной солянкой фотографий со своих трёх походов в чзо. На полке у меня пылится ещё не проявленная фотопленка, которую я забрала из Фукусимы. Ее я собираюсь до конца отснять в Чернобыле этой осенью, надеюсь получится что-то веселее, чем засвеченные кадры и что ещё никто до меня не снимал руины одной крупнейшей техногенной катастрофы на фотоплёнку найденной в зоне отчуждения второй по масштабам ядерной аварии пхахах. PS Стеллу ПРИПЯТЬ какие-то мудаки щас в украинский флаг раскрасили ;(

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4. Exploring the grounds

5. Radiation levels

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#chernobyl

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6. Hmmmm

7. All decked out

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Inside the control room of the destroyed unit 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant ☢ Yesterday I had the chance to visit one of the most fascinating but also most terrible places on earth – control room number 4 ChNPP. Amongst other things, the actions taken in this room 33 years ago led to the worlds worst nuclear disaster. Standing there is just indescribable, it’s shocking and something I will never forget 🙏🏼 Diesen Ort zu betreten, die Geschichten und Handlungen, die sich vor 33 Jahren dort abgespielt haben, in Gedanken vor sich zu sehen und zu wissen wie sehr sie ganze Welt beeinflusst haben, ist etwas das man nicht in Worte fassen kann… Ein Ort, der an Faszination aber auch an tiefer Betroffenheit kaum zu übertreffen ist ☢ in meiner Story nehme ich euch in das Atomkraftwerk mit ☢ #chernobyl #nuclearpowerplant #reactor4

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8. A good place to work out

9. Artsy shot

10. Wow

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И снова здравствуйте 🙏🏻 Повреждение атомов клеток. Процесс воздействия радиации на организм называется облучением. Это крайне разрушительная сила, которая трансформирует клетки, деформирует их ДНК, приводит к мутациям и генетическим повреждениям. Деструктивный процесс может запустить всего одна частица радиации. Действие ионизирующего излучения специалисты сравнивают со снежным комом. Начинается все с малого, затем процесс нарастает до тех пор, пока не наступят необратимые изменения. На атомарном уровне это происходит так. Радиоактивные частицы летят с огромной скоростью, выбивая при этом электроны из атомов. В результате последние приобретают положительный заряд. «Черное» дело радиации заключается только в этом. Но последствия таких преобразований бывают катастрофическими. Свободный электрон и ионизированный атом вступают в сложные реакции, в результате которых образуются свободные радикалы. Например, вода (H2O), составляющая 80 % массы человека, под воздействием радиации распадается на два радикала – H и OH. Эти патологически активные частицы вступают в реакции с важными биологическими соединениями – молекулами ДНК, белков, ферментов, жиров. В результате в организме растет число поврежденных молекул и токсинов, страдает клеточный обмен. Через некоторое время пораженные клетки погибают или их функции серьезно нарушаются. Что происходит с облученным организмом. Из-за повреждения ДНК и мутации генов клетка не может нормально делиться. Это самое опасное последствие радиационного облучения. При получении большой дозы количество пострадавших клеток настолько велико, что могут отказывать органы и системы. Тяжелее всего воспринимают радиацию ткани, в которых происходит активное деление клеток: * костный мозг; * легкие, * слизистая желудка, * кишечник, * половые органы. Причем даже слаборадиоактивный предмет при длительном контакте наносит вред организму человека. Или когда убегаешь от чужого мужа.. 😁😎 Photo : @annaliza.ph ; @balans_belogo_ MD : Принц пилорамы савдеповской . #дорого #насопрте #classicphisique #arnoldclassiceurope #spain #спортивныйфотографкемерово #графскайпа #солошенко

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11. True love

12. He looks satisfied

13. So odd…

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Поток туристов в Чернобыльскую зону отчуждения в 2019 году после выхода мини-сериала HBO "Чернобыль" может возрасти вдвое по сравнению с 2018 годом. 90% туристов составляют иностранцы, несмотря на то, что стоимость тура для граждан Украины в три-четыре раза дешевле ⠀ Чернобыльская АЭС расположена вблизи города Припять в 18 км от города Чернобыль. Авария на АЭС произошла 26 апреля 1986 года. Взрывом был разрушен четвертый энергоблок, в атмосферу выбросило большое количество радиоактивных веществ. Авария расценивается как крупнейшая в истории ядерной энергетики – как по предполагаемому количеству погибших и пострадавших от её последствий людей, так и по экономическому ущербу. 31 человек погиб в течение первых трех месяцев после аварии. Отдаленные последствия облучения, выявленные за последующие 15 лет, стали причиной гибели от 60 до 80 человек, пишет Интерфакс ⠀ #краснодар #krasnodar #krasnodarnews

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14. Top of the world

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В одиночку на заброшенный энергоблок атомной станции. ________________ Фото сделано в первые минуты, после подъёма на крышу 5-го энергоблока АЭС. К сожалению, фотографировать мог только на телефон. Но ценность этого фото крайне высока. У него есть история. ________________ Далеко не один раз бывал я в Припяти, в ЧЗО в целом. Но третью очередь ЧАЭС, и сам пятый блок все как-то обделял вниманием. Те, кто был там, – говорили, объект впечатляющий, даже эпичнее Дуги будет. Но, пока лично не убедишься, не поверишь. _____ Май. Есть готовый план одиночного похода, с проникновением на третью очередь. Конец мая. Воплощаю план в жизнь. Успешный заброс в Зону. В одном из сел забираю велосипед, оставленный @svyatogr, что упростило перемещение внутри ЧЗО. Два дня в Припяти. И ночь проникновения на новую территорию. _____ В голове только общие представление о местности, о третьей очереди знал мало, но у меня были карты и энтузиазм. И этого достаточно.. Первое, что увидел ночью – градирня, она огромная. К ней ещё вернёмся. Ранним утром – увидел пятый энергоблок вблизи. Он монументален, не меньше. Чистый постапокалипсис. _____ Крыша делится на несколько ярусов, на каждом меня удивляло, то что я вижу. Но когда поднялся на самый верх, – у меня отняло речь. Вполне возможно, это самый удивительный вид, что видел в своей жизни. Впереди, как на ладони – территория ЧАЭС, справа – пруд-охладитель станции, слева – "железный лес", справа – третья очередь, за спиной – хранилище отработанного ядерного топлива, а внизу над котлованом для 6-го блока летают чайки. Это поражает воображение. Словно я герой фильма про постапокалипсис, и это аху*нно! ________________ #chernobyl #nuclearpowerplant #nuclearpower #powerunit #pripyat #exclusionzone #chernobylzone #stalker #urbandecay #urbexphoto #urbanexploration #urbex #chnpp #urban_shots #urbexworld #urbexplaces #abandonedplaces #urbanexplore #atmosphere #awesome #illegal #chernobylzone #заброшенныеместа #чернобыль #зонаотчуждения #сталкер #нелегал #заброшенныеместа

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15. She’s having a blast

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チェルノブイリ原子力発電所 個人ではいけないので、ツアーに参加 10人のツアー 日本人はいなかったけど、シンガポール、ドイツ、トルコ、中国などなどの方 40度前後の気温で、長袖長ズボンで完全防備 なぜなら蚊だらけ 直射日光も照りつける 多分放射能測定するのを首から下げた 遊園地跡 バスケットコート、スタジアム、団地 かなり恵まれた環境だったみたい 遊園地は住民の子どもはタダだったらしい でも誰もいなくて、朽ち果ててた 謎のピカチュウいた #ukraine #ウクライナ #ウクライナ旅行 #kiev #キエフ #Chernobyl #チェルノブイリ

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What do you think about this phenomenon? Share your thoughts in the comments, por favor.

The post People Are Flocking to the Site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster to Post Pics on Social Media appeared first on UberFacts.

A firefighter at Chernobyl…

A firefighter at Chernobyl, Vladimir Pravik, reportedly had his eye colour change from brown to blue from the immense dose of radiation he received. And that was the least of his worries.