White 'Cobwebs' Found in Nuclear Waste Pool

Godzilla vs. Mega Tarantula.

I used to work at a testing lab where we used Iridium-192 to x-ray metal. We took an assortment of bugs into the chamber and nuked them in our vain attempt to create some sort of mutant monster. All we got was dead bugs and a reprimand from the boss.

Maybe it is time to do a lot of research on the effects of radiation on simple and smaller life forms vs. larger complex life forms. There seem to be a correlation forming that the larger and more complex the life form; the easier it is for radiation to break the bonds of DNA to disrupt and destroy that complex life. Could simplicity of a species genome actually increase survivability? Maybe a spider can survive and thrive in a nuclear hot zone, I am sure Cockroaches can.
Facinating.

Cobwebs? What's a cob?? I know what a web is....
Frankly it really does not surprise me that life can exist (thrive) in radioactive conditions. The earth itself was once a VERY toxic place....and yet life emerged, and here we all are. Still, I've never seen a 'cob'.....

Catch the radioactive spiders and turn them lose on Iran.

Spiderman aside - did anybody else notice the headlines listed under ABC NEWS TOP STORIES?

1. Rising Tensions Maker Iran Top Fear
2. Photos: Steven Tyler Buys Maui Home
3. Watch: Girl Fights Off Walmart Abductor
4. Grosse Point Murder Suspect Defended
5. Watch: Lingerie Model Discusses Shocking Exit Off...
6. Powell Allegedly Pulled Knife on Mom
7. Watch: Loch Ness Monster in Iceland
8. Teen Held 9 Days by Jealous Boyfriend

Really ABC? Really? Those are the ABC NEWS TOP STORIES? Peter Jennings must be rolling in his grave.

Can he swing from a web ? Take a look overhead ! LOOKOUT !!! There goes the SPIDERMAN. But seriously folks, has anyone given any consideration as to what it would be like if cockroaches were immune to radiation ? Or bedbugs ? If you think they're a problem now ? This could be the makings of a 1950's era "retro" movie.

The "string-like growth" is probably nothing more than a crystallization of some component in the waste. Similar to the chemical formations or leakage on the tops of old batteries. Real cobwebs may or may not provide a path to grow on. There might even be some kind of charge differential and the web allows that to happen.

Thanks for the detailed pictures.

It really does not surprise me considering we have found life thriving in every non hospitable spot on earth. Just look at the microbes that feed on arsenic or the critters that flourish in magma chambers, life always finds a way.

And add in the fact that radiation levels holds a direct correlation to accelerated genetic mutation and its not hard to conclude that some type of species has evolved to thrive in high levels of radiation.

The other possibility its not a creature and its more like the fine whisks of hair that grow inside electronics that eventually cause them to fail. (Sorry cant recall what their called) But if that was the case i would think other storage ponds would show the same symptoms.

I think the most profound part of this article that no one wants to talk about is that the animals near the exclusion zone of Chernobyl would rather exist near radiation and thrive, than cohabitate with humans where they are run over, killed for sport, etc...

The one thing that Yahoo can be proud of is that it gives a lot of people who have nothing to do, a little space of a place they can vent on.You are probably preventing a lot of suicides and people dying from complete ennui. Let them post to their hearts content. I know you've given me some space I could never voice my opinion on any other format. Thanks.

I like how they needed to tell us what Spiderman is.

Spiders can take a lot of radiation dose because they have a fairly low metabolism. Radiation damages cells as they divide with low dosages of ionizing radiation.

Generally there are three types of radiation. Alpha, which is a free helium nucleus has a +2 charge and is very massive. It's generally not a concern when outside the body, but when it gets inside, such as the case with naturally occurring Radon gas, there is no dead layer of skin to protect the body's tissue. The outermost layer of skin cells of course are not dividing, so cancer isn't a concern.

Beta radiation, or a free electron has much less mass than an alpha particle, and has a +1 charge. Because it is a charged particle, beta particles are also easily stopped however they can penetrate about quarter of an inch into the skin. Generally, clothing will block beta particles, however in nuclear applications, all of the radioactive materials are contained within metal pressure vessels and piping, which blocks the beta particles (and any alpha particles too.)

Gamma radiation, or electromagnetic radiation can be a bit pesky because it's not charged, nor is it generally considered to have mass. Visible light, radio waves, infrared light, and lower energy don't actually have enough energy to ionize unless highly focused, such as laser beam or within a microwave oven. The reason a microwave's door and sides are as thick as they are is to shield radiation from migrating outside of the microwave, but the food does not become radioactive because the microwaves do not have enough energy to eject electrons from the electron cloud around each atom. Higher energy waves, such as X-rays can cause ionization, however because they have more energy, they can penetrate the body which is useful for diagnostics for medical and dental applications. Materials such as bone have a higher number of electrons per atom compared to the soft tissues which are mainly water. Metals like lead or other heavy metals are good for gamma shielding because they have many electrons per atom. The reason you don't feel warmth during an X-ray is because it's over a very short period of time, and the body is mainly water, with the circulatory system quickly causes dissipation heat to the entire body and the environment. Gamma rays, as the most energetic of the electromagnetic spectrum will cause electrons to be ejected from atoms causing ionization which really starts to mess with chemistry, specifically RNA duplication in cells while dividing, which causes mutations. Cancer treatment is effective for some cancers because the tumor is basically a cluster of rapidly dividing abnormal cells and cancer treatment does use a very high dose because, well, you're trying to kill it. Other types of radiation therapies can use injectable radioactive sources which have the benefit of providing a dose that doesn't stream through the body but is focused at the injection sight.

Neutron radiation is a fourth type that occurs in nuclear reactors, and neutrons can cause elements to become radioactive by neutron capture of the "target" atom's nucleus thereby causing an unstable configuration. When the nucleus decays, it will discharge more gammas, sometimes electrons, various other atomic particles until it is eventually stable. Because neutrons interact with the nucleus of an atom and not the electrons, stopping them can be a bit difficult. One of the most effective things to slow down neutrons is water or plastic because it contains a lot of hydrogen which will essentially be impacted by and receive some of the energy. Once neutrons are slowed down, the probability that they will be absorbed by an atom increases, so a material such as boron can be used to absorb the neutron. Luckily for the nuclear people boron is stable and non-radioactive after it absorbs 2 neutrons.

Yeah , now congress will spend millions of $$$ and form a super committee to investigate why security was so lax as to allow these spiders access to a secure facility!

Imagine giant spiders roaming around taking unsuspecting people........I think there was a movie about that in the 60's or 70's.....anyone remember that one?

This is how Spiderman got started

A photo of the cobwebs would be nice, but a photo of the Spider would be even better!

I have noticed lately how birds, squirrels, ladybugs, and ants adapting in our human envirionment. I found an old squirrel's nest with a chunk of metal mesh that was supposed to be preventing leaves to fall into the gutters of a house. I'm glad they are adapting it's so funny. Ahh, mother nature.

That white Spider-web like substance will soon multiply and cover the entire earth and kill us all. The Mayans were RIGHT!!!!!!