Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
Stellar Astrophysics Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2022 Jul 1;46(4). doi: 10.1093/femsre/fuac009.
The atmosphere connects habitats across multiple spatial scales via airborne dispersal of microbial cells, propagules and biomolecules. Atmospheric microorganisms have been implicated in a variety of biochemical and biophysical transformations. Here, we review ecological aspects of airborne microorganisms with respect to their dispersal, activity and contribution to climatic processes. Latest studies utilizing metagenomic approaches demonstrate that airborne microbial communities exhibit pronounced biogeography, driven by a combination of biotic and abiotic factors. We quantify distributions and fluxes of microbial cells between surface habitats and the atmosphere and place special emphasis on long-range pathogen dispersal. Recent advances have established that these processes may be relevant for macroecological outcomes in terrestrial and marine habitats. We evaluate the potential biological transformation of atmospheric volatile organic compounds and other substrates by airborne microorganisms and discuss clouds as hotspots of microbial metabolic activity in the atmosphere. Furthermore, we emphasize the role of microorganisms as ice nucleating particles and their relevance for the water cycle via formation of clouds and precipitation. Finally, potential impacts of anthropogenic forcing on the natural atmospheric microbiota via emission of particulate matter, greenhouse gases and microorganisms are discussed.
大气通过微生物细胞、孢子和生物分子的空气传播，将不同空间尺度的栖息地连接起来。大气微生物参与了多种生化和生物物理转化过程。在这里，我们将从其传播、活性及其对气候过程的贡献方面来综述空气传播微生物的生态学方面。最新的利用宏基因组学方法的研究表明，空气传播微生物群落表现出明显的生物地理学特征，这是由生物和非生物因素的共同作用驱动的。我们量化了表面栖息地和大气之间微生物细胞的分布和通量，并特别强调了长距离病原体的传播。最近的研究进展表明，这些过程可能与陆地和海洋生境中的宏生态学结果有关。我们评估了空气传播微生物对大气挥发性有机化合物和其他基质的潜在生物转化作用，并讨论了云作为大气中微生物代谢活动的热点。此外，我们强调了微生物作为冰核的作用及其通过形成云和降水对水循环的重要性。最后，讨论了人为强迫通过颗粒物、温室气体和微生物的排放对自然大气微生物群的潜在影响。
