Variations in the structure of airborne bacterial communities in Asian dust (Kosa) source and downwind areas

摘要

Airborne microorganisms associated with Asian dust (Kosa) event (bioaerosol) are transported from China-desert regions to downwind Asian areas through the free troposphere and impact biological ecosystems, human life, and atmospheric processes in downwind areas. However, microbial variations at high altitudes over Kosa arrival region have rarely been investigated because the direct collection in high-altitude atmosphere requires sophisticated sampling systems. Moreover, the variations of bioaerosol are not compared between dust source and arrival regions. In this study, air samplings at high altitudes were performed at Noto Peninsula in Japan, Kosa arrival regions, for comparing between dust periods and non-dust period. The bacterial variations were compared with that in Kosa source regions such as Chinese desert areas.