It’s Alive? Surprising Discovery Changes What We Know About Fog

Arizona State University researchers found that fog droplets can host living, growing, metabolically active bacteria.

The team detected especially high levels of methylobacteria, microbes that can consume compounds like formaldehyde.

The findings suggest fog is not just drifting moisture, but a temporary microbial habitat that may help remove pollutants from the air.

The study could reshape how scientists think about atmospheric chemistry and microbial survival in the environment.