Back-trajectory modelling and DNA-based species-specific detection methods allow tracking of fungal spore transport in air masses

Few air pollutant studies within the Palestinian territories have been reported in the literature. In March–April and May–June of 2018, three low-cost, locally calibrated particulate monitors (AirU’s) were deployed at different elevations and source areas throughout the city of Nablus in Northern West Bank, Palestine. During each of the three-week periods, high but site-to-site similar particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and less than 10 µm (PM10) concentrations were observed. The PM2.5 concentrations at the three sampling locations and during both sampling periods averaged 38.2 ± 3.6 µg/m3, well above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 24 h guidelines. Likewise, the PM10 concentrations exceeded or were just below the WHO’s 24 h guidelines, averaging 48.5 ± 4.3 µg/m3. During both periods, short episodes were identified in which the particulate levels at all three sites increased substantially (≈2×) above the regional baseline. Air mass back trajectory analyses using U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model suggested that, during these peak episodes, the arriving air masses spent recent days over desert areas (e.g., the Saharan Desert in North Africa). On days with regionally low PM2.5 concentrations (≈20 µg/m3), back trajectory analysis showed that air masses were directed in from the Mediterranean Sea area. Further, the lower elevation (downtown) site often recorded markedly higher particulate levels than the valley wall sites. This would suggest locally derived particulate sources are significant and may be beneficial in the identification of potential remediation options.

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Discovery of phage display peptide ligands for species-specific detection of Bacillus spores

Journal of Microbiological Methods ◽

10.1016/s0167-7012(03)00030-7 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 263-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Charles L. Turnbough

Keyword(s):

Phage Display ◽

Peptide Ligands ◽

Specific Detection ◽

Bacillus Spores ◽

Species Specific

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Rapid and Specific Detection Methods for Plant Mycoplasmas

Mycoplasma Diseases of Crops ◽

10.1007/978-1-4612-3808-9_4 ◽

1988 ◽

pp. 77-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C. Hiruki

Keyword(s):

Detection Methods ◽

Specific Detection

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Evolution of the Distribution of Upper-Tropospheric Humidity over the Indian Ocean: Connection with Large-Scale Advection and Local Cloudiness

Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology ◽

10.1175/jamc-d-16-0193.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 56 (7) ◽

pp. 2035-2052 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Thomas Garot ◽

Hélène Brogniez ◽

Renaud Fallourd ◽

Nicolas Viltard

Keyword(s):

Indian Ocean ◽

Large Scale ◽

Transport Model ◽

Intraseasonal Variability ◽

Back Trajectory ◽

Time Step ◽

Air Masses ◽

Upper Troposphere ◽

Upper Tropospheric Humidity ◽

The Indian Ocean

AbstractThe spatial and temporal distribution of upper-tropospheric humidity (UTH) observed by the Sounder for Atmospheric Profiling of Humidity in the Intertropics by Radiometry (SAPHIR)/Megha-Tropiques radiometer is analyzed over two subregions of the Indian Ocean during October–December over 2011–14. The properties of the distribution of UTH were studied with regard to the phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation (active or suppressed) and large-scale advection versus local production of moisture. To address these topics, first, a Lagrangian back-trajectory transport model was used to assess the role of the large-scale transport of air masses in the intraseasonal variability of UTH. Second, the temporal evolution of the distribution of UTH is analyzed using the computation of the higher moments of its probability distribution function (PDF) defined for each time step over the domain. The results highlight significant differences in the PDF of UTH depending on the phase of the MJO. The modeled trajectories ending in the considered domain originate from an area that strongly varies depending on the phases of the MJO: during the active phases, the air masses are spatially constrained within the tropical Indian Ocean domain, whereas a distinct upper-tropospheric (200–150 hPa) westerly flow guides the intraseasonal variability of UTH during the suppressed phases. Statistical relationships between the cloud fractions and the UTH PDF moments of are found to be very similar regardless of the convective activity. However, the occurrence of thin cirrus clouds is associated with a drying of the upper troposphere (enhanced during suppressed phases), whereas the occurrence of thick cirrus anvil clouds appears to be significantly related to a moistening of the upper troposphere.

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The Finokalia Aerosol Measurement Experiment – 2008 (FAME-08): an overview

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-10-6641-2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 6641-6679 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Pikridas ◽

A. Bougiatioti ◽

L. Hildebrandt ◽

G. J. Engelhart ◽

E. Kostenidou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particulate Matter ◽

Organic Aerosol ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Back Trajectory ◽

Aerosol Composition ◽

Air Masses ◽

The Balkans ◽

Aerosol Measurement ◽

Aerosol Mass Concentration ◽

Measurement Experiment

Abstract. A month (4 May to 8 June 2008) of ambient aerosol, air ion and gas phase sampling (Finokalia Aerosol Measurement Experiment 2008, FAME-08) was conducted at Finokalia, on the island of Crete, Greece. The purpose of the study was to characterize the physical and chemical properties of aged aerosol and to investigate new particle formation. Measurements included aerosol and air ion size distributions, size-resolved chemical composition, organic aerosol thermal volatility, water uptake and particle optical properties (light scattering and absorption). Statistical analysis of the aerosol mass concentration variations revealed the absence of diurnal patterns suggesting the lack of strong local sources. Sulfates accounted for approximately half of the particulate matter less than 1 micrometer in diameter (PM1) and organics for 26%. The PM1 organic aerosol fraction was highly oxidized with 80% water soluble. The supermicrometer particles were dominated by crustal components (50%), sea salt (24%) and nitrates (16%). The organic carbon to elemental carbon (OC/EC) ratio correlated with ozone measurements but with a one-day lag. The average OC/EC ratio for the study period was equal to 5.4. For three days air masses from North Africa resulted in a 6-fold increase of particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) and a decrease of the OC/EC ratio by a factor of 2. Back trajectory analysis, based on FLEXPART footprint plots, identified five source regions (Athens, Greece, Africa, other continental and marine), each of which influenced the PM1 aerosol composition and properties. Marine air masses had the lowest PM1 concentrations and air masses from the Balkans, Turkey and Eastern Europe the highest.

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