HR: 11:10h
AN: B11F-04 INVITED     [PDF]
TI: The global dispersion of microorganisms and pollutants in clouds of desert dust
AU: * Griffin, D W
EM: dgriffin@usgs.gov
AF: US Geological Survey, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, 600 4th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AU: Kellogg, C A
AF: US Geological Survey, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, 600 4th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AU: Garrison, V H
AF: US Geological Survey, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, 600 4th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AU: Kubilay, N
AF: Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sceince, P.O. Box 28, Erdemli-ICEL, 01 Turkey
AU: Kocak, M
AF: Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sceince, P.O. Box 28, Erdemli-ICEL, 01 Turkey
AU: Shinn, E
AF: US Geological Survey, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies, 600 4th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 United States
AB: A current estimate of the quantity of dust that is transported some distance in Earth's atmosphere each year is approximately two billion metric tons. Whereas various research projects have been undertaken to understand this planetary process, little has been done to address public and ecosystem health issues. Our research group is currently investigating long-range transport of microorganisms associated with desert dust clouds at various points on the globe via the integration of remote sensing, modeling and microbiological assays. Using a suite of molecular biology techniques, we are identifying cultivable bacteria and fungi and enumerating total bacteria and viruses. Research results indicate that approximately 30% of the microorganisms found in Earth's atmosphere during `African dust events' are species of bacteria or fungi that have previously been identified as disease causing agents in terrestrial plants, trees, and animals. This presentation will cover historical research in this field and the implications of microbial and pollutant \(metals, pesticides, etc.\) transport to downwind ecosystems.
UR: http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/
DE: 0305 Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801)
DE: 0345 Pollution--urban and regional (0305)
DE: 0400 Biogeosciences
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting