Short Wave

The Science Behind That Fresh Rain Smell

Jun 24, 2020 · 11 min · 10.6 MB
0:00-11:03

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Scientists have known for decades that one of the main causes of the smell of fresh rain is geosmin: a chemical compound produced by soil-dwelling bacteria. But why do the bacteria make it in the first place? It was a bacteria-based mystery... until now! Maddie gets some answers from reporter Emily Vaughn, former Short Wave intern.

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