Articles | Volume 24, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5181-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5181-2024
Research article
 | 
03 May 2024
Research article |  | 03 May 2024

Bacteria in clouds biodegrade atmospheric formic and acetic acids

Leslie Nuñez López, Pierre Amato, and Barbara Ervens

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Nunez_ACP2023 Leslie Nuñez Lopez https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8406017

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Short summary
Living bacteria comprise a small particle fraction in the atmosphere. Our model study shows that atmospheric bacteria in clouds may efficiently biodegrade formic and acetic acids that affect the acidity of rain. We conclude that current atmospheric models underestimate losses of these acids as they only consider chemical processes. We suggest that biodegradation can affect atmospheric concentration not only of formic and acetic acids but also of other volatile, moderately soluble organics.
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