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Microbiological degradation of atmospheric organic compounds
Author(s) -
Ariya Parisa A.,
Nepotchatykh Oleg,
Ignatova Olga,
Amyot Marc
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2002gl015637
Subject(s) - aerosol , biodegradation , environmental chemistry , chemical transformation , atmosphere (unit) , environmental science , degradation (telecommunications) , organic compound , nutrient , chemistry , organic chemistry , meteorology , telecommunications , physics , computer science
Until now, aerosol transformation was assumed to be via chemical or physical processes. Here we present evidence that an important class of organic aerosols – dicarboxylic acids (DCA) – can be efficiently transformed by existing airborne microbes (bacteria and fungi) in the boundary layer. Isotopic studies indicate that microbiological entities transform and use DCA as nutrients. Several observed products are toxicants or pathogens. Identified volatile products indicate that DCA can be recycled back to the atmosphere via microbiological processes. Thus, biodegradation could be an important atmospheric transformation pathway for organic compounds.