Airborne bacterial community associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under different air quality indices in Temuco city, southern Chile

Abstract

Temuco (Chile) is one of the most polluted cities in Chile and Latin America. Although the fine fraction of particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) has been extensively studied and monitored due to its negative impact on public health, its microbiological components remain unknown. We explored, the airborne bacterial community in PM 2.5 under good, moderate, alert, pre-emergency and emergency indices of air quality (AQIs) established by the Chilean government. Bacterial community relationship with environmental factors (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , carbon monoxide, among others), was also evaluated. Significant differences in PM 2.5 bacterial community composition associated with AQIs were revealed, using 16S rRNA target sequences of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) bands. Bacterial communities in PM 2.5 were mainly clustered (80%) into emergency and pre-emergency samples. The dominant phylum was Proteobacteria and most abundant genus was Novosphingobium, traditionally related to opportunistic respiratory diseases. The main factors associated with community structure were PM 2.5 , PM 10 and carbon monoxide concentrations. This study exposed that bacterial community composition in Temuco varies according to AQIs, with the occurrence of potential opportunistic bacteria on heavily polluted days.

Analysis of Environmental and Pathogenic Bacteria Attached to Aerosol Particles Size-Separated with a Metal Mesh Device

“…Conventional technologies, such as high-volume filter samplers [34] and high-flow-rate impingers [35], require the collection of 1000-100,000 L or more of air to obtain biomass sufficient for downstream analysis. The volume of air collected by this technique was about 1500 L, a volume estimated to contain 10 2 -10 6 bacteria [8]. Although this amount is smaller than the amount conventionally collected, the recovery of DNA from the MMD surface is excellent, and amplified fragments of the 16S ribosomal region were obtained by conventional PCR.…”

“…Among these aerosol particles, PM2.5 is expected to be associated with the transmission of respiratory infections because of its small size, which allows it to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system. Indeed, PM2.5 concentration is a factor related to bacterial community structure in air [7,8].…”

Techniques, applications, and prospects of recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottle: A review

“…96 Microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi that are airborne can also be grouped under particulate matter, or bioaerosols as they range in size from submicroscopic particles (0.01 mic m) to particles larger than 100 mic m. easily carried by the wind and can float for a long time in the atmosphere. 97 Recently, many works have been published on recycled PET bottle-based air filters and face masks Table 1. Among others, Bonfim et.al developed recycled polyester electrospun nanomats that inhibit bacteria, fungi, and also viruses (about 100 nm) which can be applied as indoor air filters in places that require extremely clean air (hospitals, clean zones of the pharmaceutical, food, and aviation industries, for example).…”

“…96 Microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi that are airborne can also be grouped under particulate matter, or bioaerosols as they range in size from submicroscopic particles (0.01 mic m) to particles larger than 100 mic m. easily carried by the wind and can float for a long time in the atmosphere. 97…”