noun
- Plural of geosmin; organic compounds produced by certain bacteria and algae that give soil and water a distinctive earthy smell.
Usage: technical; chemistry/microbiology; usually used in plural form
Examples
- Geosmins are responsible for the characteristic smell of rain on dry earth.
- The presence of geosmins in drinking water can affect its taste and odor.
- Certain bacteria release geosmins as a byproduct of their metabolism.
- Water treatment plants must remove geosmins to improve water quality.
- Geosmins are detected by humans at extremely low concentrations.