Snowflakes May Contain Bacteria

What could be less contaminated than a newly minted snowflake falling gently out of the sky?

Well . . . a few things, probably.

A study last week in the journal Science found that a fair number of snowflakes appear to form around bacterial cells. And this may not be a chance occurrence: It may be part of a bacterium's life plan.

In most cases, ice crystals in a snowflake start growing on a "nucleator" -- some airborne particle. At very low temperatures, dust can suffice. At temperatures just below freezing, however, biological material may work best.

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Comments

[demodred]

I always deep fry my snow before I eat it.

[TheMadScientist]

Just remember, it's the YELLOW snow that you have to watch out for.

[Sciguy]

Oh, my - I don't suppose that means we'll have to cook them before we eat them?

[RTIII]

Snowflakes still count as among the most pure sources of water in nature.