Special Issue "The Global Atmospheric Microbiome"

Dear Colleagues,

Occurrences and exposure to elevated amounts of microbial bioaerosols such as pathogenic bacteria, fungi, fungal spores, molds, and viruses can be associated with the deterioration of the ecosystem and public health. In fact, the distribution of bioaerosols is ubiquitous in the environment, as the atmosphere is one of the most important means of their dispersal. Bioaerosols present a relatively prolonged residence time in the atmosphere because of their small-scale dimensions and, consequently, they can be transferred over extended distances. Different previous works have underlined that biological airborne particles may agglomerate by themselves and/or attach to abiotic particles in the air. Consequently, the possible effect of bioaerosols on human health, cultivation, food production, the ecosystem's condition, biogeochemical cycles, and atmospheric processes makes their abundance and speciation of great interest to the scientific community. Furthermore, the significance of exploring the effects of environmental variables, air contaminants, seasonal changes, and aerosol chemical compounds on the atmospheric microbiome is explained by the necessity of enhancing the knowledge around its survival and modifications.

This Special Issue is principally proposed to examine the current understanding of the conditions of atmospheric microbiome interactions with aerosol chemical structures and sources. In addition, this Special Issue aims to investigate the influence of meteorology, seasonal changes, and the advection of long-range-transported air masses to detect the possible reasons for the atmospheric microbiome composition. We will consider both chamber and experimental works characterizing bioaerosols in different types of environments. Papers based on bioaerosol detection and monitoring devices and/or on advanced approaches are especially encouraged.

Dr. Salvatore Romano
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• atmospheric bioaerosols
• microbiome chemical structure
• meteorological conditions
• bioaerosol
• exposure and observing
• bioaerosol seasonal changes
• air pollution