The Nuclear Forest Recovery Zone

While researching on the use of fungus for bioremediation, as an energy source or in food production, I came across a TED-talk by Paul Stamet. In the talk he explains how we as humans/a society is connected to fungi, and how we can benefit from the intelligence of the fungi to extend the lifetime of our civilization. The talk is blanancing on the creative boarderline between gaia theory, empiric research and rocket science.



An up-to-date example of this is his proposal for The Nuclear Forest Recovery Zone - Myco-remediation of the Japanese Landscape After Radioactive Fallout:

"The enormity and unprecedented nature of this combined natural and human-made disaster (bolded by SPS-editor) will require a massive and completely novel approach to management and remediation. And with this comes a never before seen opportunity for collaboration, research and wisdom.

The nuclear fallout will make continued human habitation in close proximity to the reactors untenable. The earthquake and tsunami created enormous debris fields near the nuclear reactors. Since much of this debris is wood, and many fungi useful in mycoremediation are wood decomposers and build the foundation of forest ecosystems, I have the following suggestions:

1) Evacuate the region around the reactors.

2) Establish a high-level, diversified remediation team including foresters, mycologists, nuclear and radiation experts, government officials, and citizens.

3) Establish a fenced off Nuclear Forest Recovery Zone.

4) Chip the wood debris from the destroyed buildings and trees and spread throughout areas suffering from high levels of radioactive contamination.

5) Mulch the landscape with the chipped wood debris to a minimum depth of 12-24 inches.

6) Plant native deciduous and conifer trees, along with hyper-accumulating mycorrhizal´mushrooms, particularly Gomphidius glutinosus, Craterellus tubaeformis, and Laccaria amethystina (all native to pines). G. glutinosus has been reported to absorb – via the mycelium – and concentrate radioactive Cesium 137 more than 10,000-fold over ambient background levels. Many other mycorrhizal mushroom species also hyper-accumulate.

7) Wait until mushrooms form and then harvest them under Radioactive HAZMAT protocols.

8) Continuously remove the mushrooms, which have now concentrated the
radioactivity, particularly Cesium 137, to an incinerator. Burning the mushroom will result in radioactive ash. This ash can be further refined and the resulting concentrates vitrified (placed into glass) or stored using other state-of-the-art storage technologies."

We at the South Pole Station highly respects and encourages this initative.
Keep going Paul!

Upon request, this post has been extended:
If you're only familiar with fungi in the form of mushrooms, then Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month for May 1997 (revised June 2, 2004) will surprise you. Also, be sure to read his post on the positive effects (and critical issues!) on the impact of the Internet on Mycology.


Upon exitement, this post has been even further extended:
However, Tom Volk didn't let the Fungus of the Month for May 1997 slip away. In February 2007 it was back! During the almost ten year out of the spotlight it is easy to think that nothing has happened, but with fungus, the absent of light is the condtion for everything to happen. During the decade passed Volk and his crew demonstrated that Phanerochaete chrysosporium has the ability degrade phenolic resin, a previously non-biodegradable industrial polymer. Phenolic resin is a plastic like material, which is produced in quanities over 2 million tons yearly. That confirms - one time for all - that this white-rot fungus is everything but a one hit wonder.

Below is a .wav file of Phanerochaete Chrysosporium recorded by Tom, thanks mate! We at SPS really enjoys this uncompressed audio format!