New Study Reveals Why Viruses Are Similar Around the World

Image Credit: Arek Socha.

   A study from the International Society for Microbial Ecology Journal states that precipitation and dust storms cause viruses to fall back to Earth.

   Small particles from soil-dust and sea spray that contain bacteria and viruses are swept up 2.5-3 km into the atmosphere. Then, they are deposited back on the planetary boundary layer.

   Using Spain’s Sierra Neva Mountains, the scientists found out that millions of bacteria and billions of viruses are deposited per m2 per day. This explains the virus similarity occurring in different environments around the globe.

   Quote from Dr. Isabel Reche, microbial ecologist at the University of Granada, “Bacteria and viruses are typically deposited back to Earth via rain events and Saharan dust intrusions.”



Read more about this fascinating story at: www.sci-news.com