Airborne Dust And Microbial Matter May Play Large Role In Ice Formation In Clouds

Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 14:35 in Earth & Climate

Chemistry researchers have moved closer to what is considered the "holy grail" of climate change science when it made the first-ever direct detection of biological particles within ice clouds. The team sampled water droplet and ice crystal residues at high speeds from an aircraft flying through clouds in the skies over Wyoming in fall 2007. Analysis of the ice crystals revealed that they were made up almost entirely of either dust or biological particles such as bacteria, fungal spores and plant material. While it has long been known that microorganisms or parts of them get airborne and travel great distances, this study is the first to yield in-situ data on their participation in cloud ice processes.

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