Diversity and structure dynamics of airborne bacteria (bioaerosols) in the Gobi Desert area during a dust event

摘要

Microorganisms associated with mineral particles in Chinese desert regions are transported up to atmospheric area and disperse to downwind environment by Asian dust (Kosa) events. There is a possibility that the transport of airborne microorganisms beneficially and negatively impact biological ecosystems, human life, and atmospheric processes. However, airborne bacterial communities over dust source regions such as the Gobi Desert have rarely been investigated. In this study, air samplings were performed on the desert areas. Moreover, the microbial communities in soils were also analyzed and compared with the airborne bacterial communities for elucidating the transport process from soil to atmosphere.