Urban aerosols harbor diverse and dynamic bacterialpopulations
Considering the importance of its potential implications forhuman health, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem stability,surprisingly little is known regarding the composition or dynamics of theatmosphere's microbial inhabitants. Using a previously undescribedhigh-density DNA microarray, we detected and monitored bacterialpopulations in two U.S. cities over 17 weeks. These urban aerosolscontained at least 1,800 diverse bacterial types, a richness approachingthat of some soil bacterial communities. We also reveal the consistentpresence of bacterial families with pathogenic members includingenvironmental relatives of select agents of bioterrorism significance.Finally, using multivariate regression techniques, we demonstrate thattemporal and meteorological influences can be stronger factors thanlocation in shaping the biological composition of the air webreathe.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director. Office of Science. Office of AdvancedScientific Computing Research. Office of Biological and EnvironmentalResearch, Climate Change Research Division; Department of HomelandSecurity Grant HSSCHQ04X00037
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 902459
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-62199; PNASA6; R&D Project: G4W018; BnR: 600301010; TRN: US200717%%342
- Journal Information:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of theUnited States of America, Vol. 104, Issue 1; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 01/02/2007; ISSN 0027-8424
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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