Is there life in clouds?
Take it from us, taking in a mouthful of cloud might not be the most hygienic of snacks.
Asked by: Paul Leslie, Chelmsford
Yes. Up to two million tons of bacteria are lofted by air currents into the atmosphere each year, along with 55 million tons of fungal spores and an unknown quantity of algae. These microscopic life forms are thought to play an important part in the weather by causing the water vapour in clouds to precipitate into rain more often than it would in a lifeless atmosphere.
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Authors
Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
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