Bodies can live at different altitudes in the atmosphere, but it is more frequent that they concentrate in the first layers. Most microorganisms, such as bacteria, mushrooms and viruses, are located in the troposphere, that is, the first layer of the atmosphere, which reaches up to about 10-12 km of height. Here, the conditions are more in favor of life: there is oxygen, humidity and more suitable temperatures.
In the stratosphere. However, some microorganisms manage to reach higher layers, such as the stratosphere, up to about 30 km altitude. Here they are exposed to more difficult conditions, such as intense ultraviolet radiation, low temperatures and scarcity of nutrients. Some of these organisms, called extremefiles, have developed special adaptations that allow them to survive in extreme environments. Despite this, life over 30 km becomes practically impossible, due to the lethal combination of radiation, very low temperatures and absence of oxygen. Therefore, we can say that the habitable area for organisms in the atmosphere extends to the maximum up to the stratosphere.
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller