How it works

Compounds from bacteria

- Actinomycetes secrete geosmin when they produce spores

- Human noses can detect it at less than 5 parts per trillion

- Rain disturbs the compound from the soil

- Called "petrichor"

- 3 main contributions

Volatile oils from Plants

- Plants secrete oils (Palmitic Acid and stearic acid) in dry periods & smaller compounds within are released

- Purpose of these compounds is to prohibit growth during dry periods