Bacteria Trigger Rain

Bacteria, living scattered in the air, turned out to be an important element for the occurrence of rain, snow, even ice storm. Alexander Michaud from Montana State University in Bozeman, said he found the bacteria in large numbers at the center of the ice storm.

Researchers previously believed that the chemical compounds or minerals in the clouds to cause rain, snow, or ice storm. But recent studies show that bacteria, even fungi, diatoms, and algae, can also be a trigger of rain. Study of this phenomenon is called bioprecipitation. "Mineral previously believed to be the main substances in the atmosphere to trigger rain. But in fact, minerals are not as active bacteria," says Brent Christner, a microbiologist who was steeped bioprecipitation at Louisiana State University. In order for minerals to form ice nuclei, ice crystals around the cloud, it takes a particle of water colder than usual in the clouds, said Christner. He added, bacteria and other living things around the clouds can also be a material trigger of rain, snow, or ice storm. Michaud had time to take a golf ball-sized hail after a severe ice storm that hit Montana in June last year. He divides it into four parts ice. Surprisingly, the highest number of bacteria present in the ice core rock. "The bacteria is found in dry ice before the ice was enlarged into a hurricane," said Michaud. "This proves that triggers the formation of ice is a bacterium or other biological particles." By determining the temperature when ice storms formed, the team found that the bacteria causing it to form ice at temperatures warmer than usual. Previously, a team led by Christner found that Psuedomonas syringae plant pathogens play an important role in the formation of snow around the world, including Antarctica. Pathogens known to very good form of ice at temperatures below normal. Bacteria has a special substance that can bind water molecules, and form ice particles.*** [LIVESCIENCE | ATM | KORAN TEMPO 3542]