Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: nudephil on 28/04/2020 17:42:31

Title: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: nudephil on 28/04/2020 17:42:31

Nicky sent in this question:

If the atmosphere were 100% pristine and clean (in theory, of course) would we still have rain? I know that droplets form around solid particles in the air...

What do you think?

Title: Re: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: alancalverd on 28/04/2020 18:03:06

Yes, but probably less frequent, heavier downpours, with more hail and snow.

Title: Re: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 15/05/2020 02:34:10

Is the op thinking of cloud seeding,

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_seeding

As alan states cloud seeding draws rain from airborne water with more regularity, when conditions are not optimal  for natural precipitation.

Edit:

Alan states heavier downpours

Title: Re: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: evan_au on 15/05/2020 10:45:08

Even without dust, some bacteria appear specialised to act as nuclei for clouds and snowflakes.

It is thought that these bacteria are dispersed in winds, and fall to Earth as raindrops and snowflakes. Many of them attack plants through frost damage.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioprecipitation

In teh absence of human-produced pollution, natural dust, volcanic ash and salt spray can act as water nucei.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_nucleus

Title: Re: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: OliVDB on 30/06/2020 20:23:49

Yes, the clouds would more or less keep existing until overloaded, resulting in a really heavy and powerful rainstorm every once in a while.
But I don't think it'd be possible to have the cleanest, purest air, because even if there were no humans, or even no animals at all to kick up dust with their activities, you'd still have wind picking up sand from deserts, volcanic activity and other sources of solid particles in the atmosphere.

Title: Re: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: lucky33 on 04/10/2020 10:52:50

Quote from: OliVDB on 30/06/2020 20:23:49

Yes, the clouds would more or less keep existing until overloaded, resulting in a really heavy and powerful rainstorm every once in a while.
But I don't think it'd be possible to have the cleanest, purest air, because even if there were no humans, or even no animals at all to kick up dust with their activities, you'd still have wind picking up sand from deserts, volcanic activity and other sources of solid particles in the atmosphere.

Yes, it is volcanoes that create very strong emissions. They have a huge impact on rainfall! Well, in general, like deserts. So yes, a 100% clean atmosphere is not possible!

Title: Re: If the atmosphere were 100% clean, would we still have rain?
Post by: EuniceSmith on 09/02/2021 10:09:31

I think the rain would have continued, it would have been clean too, but this is not certain. It is simply impossible in our reality to imagine that the air is 100% clean ;D