The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) found that microbes hitched a ride on dust particles from Chinese farm fields, traveling 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) to Japan.
Scientists used a small plane to take air samples at an altitude of 3,000 metres above Japan.
They were surprised to find such a diversity of fungi and bacteria in these samples, including many species that are potentially harmful to humans, animals and plants.
“Our results reveal an unprecedentedly rich diversity of microbes that are dispersed by wind currents thousands of kilometres from their sources via intense wind tunnels that form in the troposphere (the first layer of the atmosphere and closest to the Earth),” said Xavier Rodu, a researcher at ISGlobal.
The team conducted this study because the diversity of microbes that can thrive in the harsh conditions of high altitudes is poorly documented.
“Our study is unique in that we conducted 10 flights in the troposphere to examine microbial diversity at high altitudes, while most studies have been conducted only a few meters above the Earth or ocean surface,” said Rodu.
The study included ten aerial surveys at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 meters over Japan. Sampling was carried out using a small aircraft that took off from Chofu Airport near Tokyo.
The flights chased wind currents from mainland Asia, known as tropospheric bridges.
These wind currents connect air from different parts of the world, and in this example, carry air from mainland China to Tokyo throughout the winter.
After collecting the aerosol samples, DNA sequencing was performed. Surprisingly, the aerosol contained 266 fungal species and 305 bacterial species.
Scientists highlight that some of these microbes can pose a threat to humans, especially individuals with weakened immunity.
The samples revealed a worrying trend: not only were the bacteria alive, but many of them were also resistant to common antibiotics.
“Surprisingly, the isolated Micrococcus luteus strain was resistant to multiple drugs, including carbapenems, glycopeptides, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,” said Sofia Budznyakova, co-first author of the study. “Our results suggest that antimicrobial resistance can spread over long distances via this previously unrecognized route.”
“These particles (aerosols) represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of how human health is affected by pathogens thriving in the environment, especially in the air,” Rudo noted in a press release.
The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Source: Interesting Engineering
#Scientists #Diseasecausing #microbes #carried #long #distances #wind
2024-09-16 12:00:32
What kinds of microbes are found in high-altitude air?
Table of Contents
Microbes on the Move: Uncovering the Surprising Diversity of Microorganisms in High-Altitude Air
The air we breathe is not as sterile as we think. In fact, it’s teeming with microorganisms that can travel thousands of miles, carried by wind currents and dust particles. A recent study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has revealed a staggering diversity of microbes in high-altitude air, including many species that are potentially harmful to humans, animals, and plants.
Microbes on a Long-Distance Journey
Scientists from ISGlobal used a small plane to take air samples at an altitude of 3,000 meters above Japan, revealing a surprising diversity of fungi and bacteria. The samples contained 266 fungal species and 305 bacterial species, many of which were alive and resistant to common antibiotics. But where did these microbes come from?
The answer lies in the winds that blow from mainland Asia, carrying air from Chinese farm fields to Japan. The wind currents, known as tropospheric bridges, can transport microbes over 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) in a matter of days. This phenomenon has significant implications for our understanding of microbial dispersal and the potential risks to human health.
The Uncharted Territory of High-Altitude Microbiology
The diversity of microbes that can thrive in the harsh conditions of high altitudes is poorly documented. Most studies have focused on surface-level microbial communities, leaving a knowledge gap regarding the microbial populations that inhabit the upper atmosphere. The ISGlobal study aimed to fill this gap by conducting 10 flights in the troposphere to examine microbial diversity at high altitudes.
Aerial Surveys and DNA Sequencing
The study involved ten aerial surveys at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 meters over Japan. The flights chased wind currents from mainland Asia, using a small aircraft that took off from Chofu Airport near Tokyo. Aerosol samples were collected using specialized equipment, and DNA sequencing was performed to identify the microbial species present.
A Worrying Trend: Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes
The study highlighted a worrying trend: not only were the bacteria alive, but many of them were also resistant to common antibiotics. The isolated Micrococcus luteus strain, for example, was resistant to multiple drugs, including carbapenems, glycopeptides, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This has significant implications for public health, particularly for individuals with weakened immunity.
Implications and Future Directions
The discovery of a diverse range of microorganisms in high-altitude air raises important questions about the potential risks to human health and the environment. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of microbial dispersal, the effects of climate change on wind patterns, and the potential consequences of airborne microbial transport.
Conclusion
The ISGlobal study has unveiled a fascinating and complex world of microbial dispersal, highlighting the importance of exploring the uncharted territory of high-altitude microbiology. As we continue to uncover the secrets of the upper atmosphere, we must also acknowledge the potential risks and implications for human health and the environment. By understanding the mechanisms of microbial dispersal, we can better prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
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Microbial dispersal
High-altitude microbiology
Tropospheric bridges
Wind currents
Microorganisms in air
Atmospheric microbiology
Antibiotic resistance
Public health
Environmental health
Climate change
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Discover the surprising diversity of microorganisms in high-altitude air, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi, and learn about the implications for human health and the environment.
– What types of microorganisms have been found in high-altitude air, and how do they affect human health?
Microbes on the Move: Uncovering the Surprising Diversity of Microorganisms in High-Altitude Air
The air we breathe is not as sterile as we think. In fact, it’s teeming with microorganisms that can travel thousands of miles, carried by wind currents and dust particles. A recent study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has revealed a staggering diversity of microbes in high-altitude air, including disease-causing pathogens that can pose a threat to human health.
Microbes Hitch a Ride to Japan
Researchers from ISGlobal found that microbes from Chinese farm fields were able to hitch a ride on dust particles, traveling an astonishing 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) to Japan. To collect air samples, scientists used a small plane to fly at an altitude of 3,000 meters above Japan, chasing wind currents from mainland Asia, known as tropospheric bridges. These wind currents connect air from different parts of the world, carrying air from mainland China to Tokyo throughout the winter.
A Diverse Array of Microbes
The team was surprised to find such a rich diversity of fungi and bacteria in the air samples, including many species that are potentially harmful to humans, animals, and plants. DNA sequencing revealed an astonishing 266 fungal species and 305 bacterial species. While some of these microbes are harmless, others can pose a significant threat to human health, especially for individuals with weakened immunity.
Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes
The study revealed a worrying trend: not only were the bacteria alive, but many of them were also resistant to common antibiotics. One isolated strain of Micrococcus luteus was found to be resistant to multiple drugs, including carbapenems, glycopeptides, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. This suggests that antimicrobial resistance can spread over long distances via this previously unrecognized route.
Implications for Human Health
The study’s findings have significant implications for human health. The fact that disease-causing microbes can travel long distances and thrive in high-altitude air raises concerns about the potential for airborne transmission of diseases. Moreover, the presence of antibiotic-resistant microbes in the air highlights the need for more effective strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
A New Paradigm for Understanding Human Health
According to Xavier Rodu, a researcher at ISGlobal, “These particles (aerosols) represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of how human health is affected by pathogens thriving in the environment, especially in the air.” The study’s findings open up new avenues for research into the role of airborne microorganisms in shaping human health and disease.
Conclusion
The discovery of a diverse array of microbes in high-altitude air is a timely reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of our environment. As we continue to explore the boundaries of human knowledge, it is essential that we prioritize the study of airborne microorganisms and their impact on human health. By doing so, we can better understand the intricate relationships between our environment, our health, and the microorganisms that surround us.
Keywords: microbes, high-altitude air, disease-causing, antibiotic-resistant, antimicrobial resistance, human health, airborne transmission, environmental health.
