New research from MIT reveals that sprays of particles get released into the air once rain hits the soil, possibly explaining the transmission of scents and microbes during a wet period.
That fresh smell after a rain, termed petrichor, may have a scientific explanation.
Researchers at MIT have found that aerosols are released into the air when rain hits the ground, possibly containing scents that can be transmitted by wind currents.
This is the first time it has been discovered that these aerosols, or fine particles trapped in gas, can be produced from rain hitting the soil.
Scientists previously only knew that these particulate gases were produced when rain fell on water.
In this study, the team performed about 600 experiments testing 28 different surfaces, including 16 types of soil and 12 fabricated materials.
Using high-speed cameras, they dropped single droplets of water on each surface and were able to see tiny bubbles rise to the surface then become airborne.
The testing
