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Podcast Episode: “The Science Behind That Fresh Rain Smell”

Click to listen: “The Science Behind That Fresh Rain Smell”

June 24, 2020 by Short Wave

The main smell of fresh rain is caused by geosmin, a chemical compound produced by bacteria in the soil. But why do bacteria make geosmin in the first place? Find out on this episode of Short Wave.

Learn more at npr.org/podcasts.