How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere?

Details How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere? How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere?

Apr 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006ijasb...5...13w&link_type=abstract

International Journal of Astrobiology, vol.5, no. 1, p. 13-15

Biology

2

Scientific paper

A number of studies have demonstrated that bacteria and fungi are present in the stratosphere. Since the tropopause is generally regarded as a barrier to the upward movement of particles it is difficult to see how such microorganisms can reach heights above 17 km. Volcanoes provide an obvious means by which this could be achieved, but these occur infrequently and any microorganisms entering the stratosphere from this source will rapidly fall out of the stratosphere. Here, we suggest mechanisms by which microorganisms might reach the stratosphere on a more regular basis; such mechanisms are, however, likely only to explain how micrometre to submicrometre particles could be elevated into the stratosphere. Intriguingly, clumps of bacteria of size in excess of 10 μm have been found in stratospheric samples. It is difficult to understand how such clumps could be ejected from the Earth to this height, suggesting that such bacterial masses may be incoming to Earth. We suggest that the stratospheric microflora is made up of two components: (a) a mixed population of bacteria and fungi derived from Earth, which can occasionally be cultured; and (b) a population made up of clumps of, viable but non-culturable, bacteria which are too large to have originated from Earth; these, we suggest, have arrived in the stratosphere from space. Finally, we speculate on the possibility that the transfer of bacteria from the Earth to the highly mutagenic stratosphere may have played a role in bacterial evolution.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and How do microorganisms reach the stratosphere? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1500448