Fog - Fourth Edition

Fog is a visible aerosol consisting of tiny water droplets or ice crystals held in the air near the Earth's surface. Fog can be considered a type of low-lying cloud usually resembling stratus and is heavily influenced by nearby bodies of water, topography, and wind conditions. In turn, fog affects many human activities, such as shipping, travel, and warfare. Recent atmospheric research indicates that fog also functions as an active aquatic ecosystem. Fog droplets harbor microbiomes where bacteria actively grow, divide, and interact with atmospheric chemistry.