As a kid in rural Alberta, Canada, Russell Schnell was mesmerized by storms, fascinated with how out of the dark clouds came hailstones, chunks of hardened water that shot through the cold wet air, pummelling the earth like bullets.
Endophytes in leaves and epiphytes on leaves (that colonize leaves) also make biological volatile organic compounds or BVOC's (aka monoterpenes especially isoprene emitted from trees and pinene emitted from conifers). Endophytes and epiphytes are bacteria and fungi living on or in plants (the endosphere and phylosphere). Plants emit these BVOC's from glandular trichomes and their stomata. Isoprene is a hydrocarbon C5H8, and like other hydrocarbons (eg. methane or CH4) interacts with atmospheric radicals including hydroxyl radicals. When isoprene collides with OH, it forms secondary organic aerosols [SOA's]. These SOA's are another type of ice nucleating particle [INP] that seed clouds rather than the bacteria directly. Read: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-18424-6
Thank you, Alpha, for presenting such an intriguing perspective on this topic. I’ve also explored the integration of P. syringae in ways that mitigate its pathogenic effects while maximizing its nucleation efficiency. Among all the BVOCs, P. syringae indeed stands out for its unparalleled efficiency in long-distance nucleation. While I agree there are other biogenic nuclei, I’ve found P. syringae to be unmatched, a topic I’ve quantified and elaborated on in more practical guides for regenerators.
For those interested in a more systematic approach, I’ve delved into these topics extensively in earlier posts, focusing on P. syringae and other candidates like fungal spores:
Thats great you have written and researched on these various aspects of bioprecipitation! I think its cool we are both writing about it, and bringing our different perspective and approaches to the matter, to weave a more holistic picture.
Thanks for sharing this. I will include a link to this in an upcoming post on clouds (there will be a few) at some stage, as I also mention this topic. I can certainly relate to your comments about, ‘…outside the boundaries of normal science’ and ‘…revolutionary science’, as my posts certainly push these boundaries as well. I hold to a definition of science that includes an unrestricted search for truth about nature based on reasoning from physical evidence…wherever that leads…I see scepticism as being a part of this, but not denial. I look forward to part 2…
Alpha, Do you know if anyone has tried to image the bacteria coming off the trees? I wonder if the spectral signature of the bacteria is unique enough such that an imaging spectrometer could see their emission from trees. I wonder if seeing the process would make folks see the possibilities in a whole new light.
I don’t think it’s that hard to show that but don’t know studies . There is studies showing how rain dropping on ground can help bacteria fly into air by little mist particles that rebound
Another fantastic post on water, Alpha, and this one included my favorite topic — complexity, and other paradigm shifts in science that stir the pot. Your paradigm shift of water being key in climate is another important one. Keep it up!!
Absolutely fascinating and eye opening! Thank you so much for this. It makes me reconsider the effects of the SAL not only on hurricane formation but on biotic trans-oceanic transfers in general.
Endophytes in leaves and epiphytes on leaves (that colonize leaves) also make biological volatile organic compounds or BVOC's (aka monoterpenes especially isoprene emitted from trees and pinene emitted from conifers). Endophytes and epiphytes are bacteria and fungi living on or in plants (the endosphere and phylosphere). Plants emit these BVOC's from glandular trichomes and their stomata. Isoprene is a hydrocarbon C5H8, and like other hydrocarbons (eg. methane or CH4) interacts with atmospheric radicals including hydroxyl radicals. When isoprene collides with OH, it forms secondary organic aerosols [SOA's]. These SOA's are another type of ice nucleating particle [INP] that seed clouds rather than the bacteria directly. Read: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-18424-6
Thanks for sharing
Yes, remember the “trees make pollution” episode in the Reagan administration?
Thank you, Alpha, for presenting such an intriguing perspective on this topic. I’ve also explored the integration of P. syringae in ways that mitigate its pathogenic effects while maximizing its nucleation efficiency. Among all the BVOCs, P. syringae indeed stands out for its unparalleled efficiency in long-distance nucleation. While I agree there are other biogenic nuclei, I’ve found P. syringae to be unmatched, a topic I’ve quantified and elaborated on in more practical guides for regenerators.
For those interested in a more systematic approach, I’ve delved into these topics extensively in earlier posts, focusing on P. syringae and other candidates like fungal spores:
- 84: Five Insights into Pseudomonas Syringae ( https://r3genesis.substack.com/p/84-five-insights-into-pseudomonas?utm_source=publication-search )
- 85: Fungi and Bioprecipitation: Enhancing the Process ( https://open.substack.com/pub/r3genesis/p/85-fungi-and-bioprecipitation-enhancing?r=1ivlwg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )
-86: Strategic Integration of Fungi for Bioprecipitation ( https://open.substack.com/pub/r3genesis/p/86-strategic-integration-of-fungi?r=1ivlwg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )
Looking forward to seeing how this discussion evolves.
Thats great you have written and researched on these various aspects of bioprecipitation! I think its cool we are both writing about it, and bringing our different perspective and approaches to the matter, to weave a more holistic picture.
Yes, I really dig your story telling and cross posted your article.
Thanks for sharing this. I will include a link to this in an upcoming post on clouds (there will be a few) at some stage, as I also mention this topic. I can certainly relate to your comments about, ‘…outside the boundaries of normal science’ and ‘…revolutionary science’, as my posts certainly push these boundaries as well. I hold to a definition of science that includes an unrestricted search for truth about nature based on reasoning from physical evidence…wherever that leads…I see scepticism as being a part of this, but not denial. I look forward to part 2…
great, glad to see you are writing about water and rain
Astonishing article, no surprise ! Thank you !
Glad you enjoyed it, and it had unexpected info :)
I was still knowing only inorganic nucleus...But organic with even higher temperatures, this is a new door for knowledge !
Alpha, Do you know if anyone has tried to image the bacteria coming off the trees? I wonder if the spectral signature of the bacteria is unique enough such that an imaging spectrometer could see their emission from trees. I wonder if seeing the process would make folks see the possibilities in a whole new light.
I don’t think it’s that hard to show that but don’t know studies . There is studies showing how rain dropping on ground can help bacteria fly into air by little mist particles that rebound
Another fantastic post on water, Alpha, and this one included my favorite topic — complexity, and other paradigm shifts in science that stir the pot. Your paradigm shift of water being key in climate is another important one. Keep it up!!
Cool thanks .
Absolutely fascinating and eye opening! Thank you so much for this. It makes me reconsider the effects of the SAL not only on hurricane formation but on biotic trans-oceanic transfers in general.
Cool glad you like it!