Article by IfuM
Whenever it rains do you notice a different type of smell? It is a very pleasant smell and it is due many reasons and one of them is bacteria! The scent of rain on dry earth is also known as "Petrichor", the word is constructed from Greek.
The smell is due to a gram-positive bacteria of the group 'Actinomycetes'. They usually grow in soil when the conditions are warm. The bacteria produces spores when the soil dries out. When it rains due to the force of rainfall these spores rise above the ground where the moisture acts as an aerosol. We breathe these moist spores in and get that pleasant smell.
We do not smell it all the time because the bacteria leave the spores when the conditions are not dry. These bacteria are very common and are found in all parts of the world and it is usually known as sweet after the rain smell.
And there you go Microbiology has been made easy again ! Likes needed:D
The smell is due to a gram-positive bacteria of the group 'Actinomycetes'. They usually grow in soil when the conditions are warm. The bacteria produces spores when the soil dries out. When it rains due to the force of rainfall these spores rise above the ground where the moisture acts as an aerosol. We breathe these moist spores in and get that pleasant smell.
We do not smell it all the time because the bacteria leave the spores when the conditions are not dry. These bacteria are very common and are found in all parts of the world and it is usually known as sweet after the rain smell.
And there you go Microbiology has been made easy again ! Likes needed:D
