Abstract
BETWEEN June and October 1968, a daily sample of the atmospheric aerosol was collected at Harwell for subsequent examination by electron microscopy. Relatively small areas were mounted and photographed and, by chance, one photograph included a small group of particles with regular structure suggesting a biological origin. After this observation a close watch was kept for this type of material and single or grouped organisms were found in six samples (August 6, 8, 23; September 11, 20; October 21). These dates include various meteorological conditions. The concentration of these particles was always extremely low and it is very likely that they were present on other occasions but passed unnoticed. Grids on which specimens were found were scanned thoroughly and the mean number of groups of specimens was 1.5 per grid, corresponding to approximately 1 per 5 l. of air sampled.
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WIFFEN, R., HEARD, M. Unidentified Airborne Organism. Nature 224, 715–716 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/224715a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/224715a0
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