Microbial communities in the water surface microlayer and associations with microbes in aerosols, beach sand, and bulk water

Potentially pathogenic bacteria with high aerosolization factors were enriched in the sea surface microlayer during perigean tides and a sewage spill suggesting increased transport towards the aerosol phase. The water surface microlayer (SML) serves as a boundary through which microbes can be exchanged. To evaluate exchanges of microbes, this study compared microbial communities within different reservoirs, with an emphasis on the water SML and aerosols. Additionally, the microbial communities during a sewage spill and perigean tides were evaluated and the results were compared to times without these events. Results show that during perigean tides and during the sewage spill, levels of culturable bacteria were highest and showed an increase via sequencing in potential pathogenic bacteria (Corynebacterium and Vibrio, which increased from 3.5%-1800% depending on sample type). In the aerosol samples, Corynebacterium (average of 2.0%), Vibrio (1.6%), and Staphylococcus (10%), were the most abundant genera. Aerosolization factors, which were used to examine the transfer of the microbes, were high for these three genera. Measurements of general marine bacteria (GMB) by culture showed a weak but significant correlation between culturable GMB in aerosol samples versus in water and in the SML. More research is needed to evaluate the exchange of pathogens between the SML and air, given the increase in potentially pathogenic microbes within the SML during rare events and evidence that suggests that microbes maintain viability during transfers across reservoirs.

Automated summary

This study found that potentially pathogenic bacteria with high aerosolization factors were present in the sea surface microlayer during perigean tides and a sewage spill, indicating increased transfer to the aerosol phase. The exchange of microbes between different reservoirs, particularly the water surface microlayer and aerosols, was evaluated. Results showed an increase in culturable bacteria and potential pathogenic bacteria (Corynebacterium and Vibrio) during perigean tides and the sewage spill, with Corynebacterium, Vibrio, and Staphylococcus being the most abundant genera in aerosol samples.