Summary
We collected bacteria from the atmosphere (5–6 m above ground level) with an Andersen microbial sampler at Fengtai District, Beijing, in the spring and autumn of 1989. The 195 strains of bacteria collected and isolated were identified according to their morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics. The results showed that there were 11 bacterial genera in the atmosphere of the town, the most abundant beingStaphylococcus andBacillus. The order of prevailing genera of the two seasons is similar. In morphology, gram positive (G+) bacteria predominate among atmospheric bacteria (G+ cocci, G+ rods and G+ endospore-forming rods). It seems that the constitution of atmospheric bacteria is influenced not only by the source strength of the various bacteria in the environment, but also by their somewhat resistant mechanisms such as protective pigments and spore structure. From our experience, in order to avoid the possible data loss from selecting and identifying some «representative» colonies of samples, all strains isolated should be identified when studying ecological distribution of microbes in the atmosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Andersen A.A., (1958) —New sampler for the collection, size and enumeration of viable airborne particles. J. Bact.,76:478–482.
Bovallius A. et al., (1978) —Three-year investigation of the natural airborne bacterial flora at four localities in Sweden. Appl Environ. Microbiol.,35:847–852.
Buchanan R.E., Gibbons N.E., (1974) —Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology. The 8 edition. The Williams & Wilkins.
Che Fengxiang et al., (1990) —Ecological distribution of atmospheric bacteria over Beijing and Tianjin Area. China Environmental Sciences,10:192–195.
Holt J.G. et al., (1984, 1986) —Bergey's manual of systematic bacteriology. The 9 edition, Volume 1 (1984), Volume 2 (1986), The Williams & Wilkins.
Lee R.K. et al., (1973) —Relationship between viable bacteria and air pollution in an urban atmosphere. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.,34:164–170.
Imshenetsky A.A. et al., (1978) —Upper Boundary of the biosphere. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.,35:1–5.
Jones B.L. et al., (1983) —Natural atmospheric microbial conditions in a typical suburban area. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.,45:919–934.
Hu Qingxuan et al., (1990) —Size distribution of airborne microorganism particle. China Environmental Science,10:99–102.
Mancinelli R.L. et al., (1978) —Airborne bacteria in an urban environment. Appl. Environ. Microbiol.,35:1095–1101.
The Group of Classification of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of China, (1978) —Methods for identification of general bacteria. Scientific Press, Beijing.
Tong Yongyi et al., (1990) —The effect of nitrogen dioxide on the survival of the aerosols of Serratia marcescensand Bacillus subtilisspore. China Environmental Science,10:30–34.
Wright J.J. et al., (1969) —Viable microorganisms in an urban atmosphere. J. Air. Pollut. Control. Assoc.,19:337–341.
Xi Suming et al., (1988) —The constitution of atmospheric bacteria. I. Species of atmospheric bacteria over Beijing and Tianjin area. Acta Environ. Sci.,8:39–47.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yongyi, T., Fengxiang, C., Xiuzhi, X. et al. Population study of atmospheric bacteria at the Fengtai district of Beijing on two representative days. Aerobiologia 9, 69–74 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02311372
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02311372