Diel variations of airborne microbes and antibiotic resistance genes in Response to urban PM2.5 chemical properties during the heating season

Kangbo Tong; Yupeng He; Yue Wei; Yang Yun; Nan Sang

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124120

Diel variations of airborne microbes and antibiotic resistance genes in Response to urban PM_2.5 chemical properties during the heating season

Environ Pollut. 2024 May 8:352:124120. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124120. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kangbo Tong¹, Yupeng He¹, Yue Wei¹, Yang Yun², Nan Sang¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China.
² College of Environment and Resource, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030006, China. Electronic address: yunyang@sxu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38729506
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124120

Abstract

Among the components of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), the contributions of airborne microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to health risks have been overlooked. Airborne microbial dynamics exhibit a unique diurnal cycle due to environmental influences. However, the specific roles of PM_2.5 chemical properties resulting from fossil fuel combustion in driving circadian fluctuations in microbial populations and ARGs remain unclear. This study explored the interactions between toxic components and microbial communities during the heating period to understand the variations in ARGs. Bacterial and fungal communities showed a higher susceptibility to diel variations in PM_2.5 compared to their chemical properties. Mantel tests revealed that chemical properties and microbial community interactions contribute differently to ARG variations, both directly and indirectly, during circadian fluctuations. Our findings highlight that, during the daytime, the enrichment of pathogenic microorganisms and ARGs increases the risk of PM_2.5 toxicity. Conversely, during the nighttime, the utilization of water-soluble ions by the fungal community increased, leading to a significant increase in fungal biomass. Notably, Aspergillus exhibited a significant correlation with mobile genetic elements and ARGs, implying that this genus is a crucial driver of airborne ARGs. This study provides novel insights into the interplay between the chemical composition, microbial communities, and ARGs in PM, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of effective air pollution control strategies.

Keywords: Bioaerosol; Chemical characteristic; Health risk; Microorganism; PM(2.5).