Ologies with Alie Ward cover image

Indigenous Pedology (SOIL SCIENCE) with Lydia Jennings

Ologies with Alie Ward

00:00

The Smell of the Desert

The sweet smell of rain is caused by plant oils and bacteria in the soil. Scientists say it's a mixture of petrocor, argalaceous odour and chiasmon. The human nose is so attuned to finding water that we can detect the smell of chiasmon in concentrations as low as 0.04 parts per billion. Gheasmin: "I like to go on for runs and check it out because the desert feels so alive"

Transcript
Play full episode

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app