Page 140 - The Microworld Miracle

over the planet. That the sky is full of these organisms is thus not at
all surprising. There are up to 10,000 microorganisms, of various
species, in every cubic meter of air in the layer closest to the Earth.
Up to a height of 50 kilometers (31 miles) in the atmosphere, there
are living bacteria and fungi using the same method as algae, accel-
erating the photosynthesis of the algae on the Earth. As a result of
photosynthesis, when the water surface warms up, bubbles form on

the surface. Algae—just as if they knew that these bubbles would
soon burst and expel themselves into the atmosphere, install them-
selves inside. When the bubble bursts, the algae leave the water and
can enter the air, where they can move freely.
As DMS forms, it emits heat energy that
warms the air around it. And this warm
air rises. The air beneath is pulled up-

ward by and the current that forms

THE MICROWORLD MIRACLE In tropical regions algae

can reach foods below the
surface of warm oceans by
producing an antifreeze
substance. The properties
of antifreeze production
are the main reason for wa-
ter evaporating and enter-
138
ing the atmosphere.