A recent study published in the journal Environmental Microbiology has revealed that fog is home to millions of bacteria, creating a unique ecosystem comparable to that of oceans. Researchers from Arizona State University, led by Thi Thuong Cao, collected air samples during fog events, focusing on radiation fog formed under calm conditions. They discovered that while only 1% of fog droplets contained bacteria, a small volume could hold around ten million bacteria. Notably, Methylobacteria, which consume pollutants like formaldehyde, showed significant growth after fog events. This finding indicates that fog droplets serve as a habitat for these bacteria, which may play a crucial role in maintaining air quality by removing pollutants. The researchers caution against harvesting fog for drinking water, as it could eliminate these beneficial bacteria and disrupt the ecosystem they support. This research marks a shift in understanding the ecological significance of fog and its bacterial inhabitants, emphasizing their potential impact on environmental health.