Bacteria-rich hailstones add to 'bioprecipitation' idea

given the time of year we are entering, I thought this article was not only very interesting, but timely.


The layers representing the build-up of hailstones can be seen in cross-section

A study of hailstones has found large numbers of bacteria at their cores.

The find lends credence to the "bio-precipitation" idea, which suggests that bacteria are actively involved in stimulating precipitation.
The bacteria have protein coatings that cause water to freeze at relatively warm temperatures.
Researchers at the American Society for Microbiology meeting suggest bacteria may have evolved to use the water cycle to facilitate their own dispersal.

to read more http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13523502

Yeah, I try to keep my dogs from eating them, now I know why.