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Taxon-specific aerosolization of bacteria and viruses in an experimental ocean-atmosphere mesocosm.

Jennifer M MichaudLuke R ThompsonDrishti KaulJosh L EspinozaR Alexander RichterZhenjiang Zech XuChristopher LeeKevin M PhamCharlotte M BeallFrancesca MalfattiFarooq AzamRob KnightMichael D BurkartChristopher L DupontKimberly A Prather
Published in: Nature communications (2018)
Ocean-derived, airborne microbes play important roles in Earth's climate system and human health, yet little is known about factors controlling their transfer from the ocean to the atmosphere. Here, we study microbiomes of isolated sea spray aerosol (SSA) collected in a unique ocean-atmosphere facility and demonstrate taxon-specific aerosolization of bacteria and viruses. These trends are conserved within taxonomic orders and classes, and temporal variation in aerosolization is similarly shared by related taxa. We observe enhanced transfer into SSA of Actinobacteria, certain Gammaproteobacteria, and lipid-enveloped viruses; conversely, Flavobacteriia, some Alphaproteobacteria, and Caudovirales are generally under-represented in SSA. Viruses do not transfer to SSA as efficiently as bacteria. The enrichment of mycolic acid-coated Corynebacteriales and lipid-enveloped viruses (inferred from genomic comparisons) suggests that hydrophobic properties increase transport to the sea surface and SSA. Our results identify taxa relevant to atmospheric processes and a framework to further elucidate aerosolization mechanisms influencing microbial and viral transport pathways.
Keyphrases
  • human health
  • risk assessment
  • climate change
  • particulate matter
  • microbial community
  • sars cov
  • genetic diversity
  • transcription factor
  • fatty acid
  • ionic liquid
  • air pollution
  • water soluble
  • aqueous solution
  • drug induced