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geosmin - n., an organic compound (C12H22O) with an earthy smell.
Specifically, it is the compound responsible for the smell of wet or disturbed soil, and so is a component of petrichor; it is also the earthy smell/taste of beets and the muddy smell of catfish and carp. A more technical name is (4S,4aS,8aR)-4,8a-Dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-4a-ol (thanks Wikipedia). It is produced by cyanobacteria (more). The name means "earth smell."
---L.
Specifically, it is the compound responsible for the smell of wet or disturbed soil, and so is a component of petrichor; it is also the earthy smell/taste of beets and the muddy smell of catfish and carp. A more technical name is (4S,4aS,8aR)-4,8a-Dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-4a-ol (thanks Wikipedia). It is produced by cyanobacteria (more). The name means "earth smell."
---L.
