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Fog Droplets Contain Ocean-Scale Bacteria, Raising Harvest Concerns

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at Arizona State University and Susquehanna University reported fog droplets contain bacteria at ocean-water concentrations.
A two-year study of 32 Pennsylvania fog events found about 1% of droplets held bacteria, with a thimble of fog water containing roughly 10 million cells.
Microscopy showed bacteria growing inside droplets while methylobacteria increased after fog by consuming formaldehyde.
Co-author Ferran Garcia-Pichel warned fog harvesting could strip these microbes and alter air-quality processes.

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Story summary

Researchers at Arizona State University and Susquehanna University reported fog droplets contain bacteria at ocean-water concentrations.
A two-year study of 32 Pennsylvania fog events found about 1% of droplets held bacteria, with a thimble of fog water containing roughly 10 million cells.
Microscopy showed bacteria growing inside droplets while methylobacteria increased after fog by consuming formaldehyde.
Co-author Ferran Garcia-Pichel warned fog harvesting could strip these microbes and alter air-quality processes.