he atmosphere contains thousands to millions of bacterial cells per cubic meter. However, it remains unclear if microbes are at all active or growing in situ or whether they are merely being transported in an inactive state. Based on the analyses of 32 overland radiation fog events over a 2-year period, we show that fog waters, with bacterial concentrations similar to those in continental or marine bodies of water, contain microbiomes well differentiated in composition from those in the dry aerosol microbiomes that occur locally before, during, or after fog events
[…]
the fog water microbiome is actually growing. Consequently, droplets of atmospheric water should be considered a potential aquatic microhabitat. Our results highlight the fog microbiome’s role in atmospheric chemistry and have implications for fog harvesting as a source of fresh water for human use.
[..]
Robin Edgar
Organisational Structures | Technology and Science | Military, IT and Lifestyle consultancy | Social, Broadcast & Cross Media | Flying aircraft