For the first time, scientists have quantified the viruses being swept up from the Earth's surface into the free troposphere, the layer of atmosphere beyond Earth's weather systems but below the stratosphere where jet aeroplanes fly. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada, said that an astonishing number of viruses are circulating around the Earth's atmosphere – and falling from it.
The finding may explain why genetically identical viruses are often found in very different environments around the globe, researchers said.The viruses, they say, can be carried thousands of kilometres into the troposphere before being deposited back onto the Earth's surface. "Every day, more than 800 million viruses are deposited per square metre above the planetary boundary layer – that is 25 viruses for each person in Canada," said Curtis Suttle, a virologist…
