The oligotrophic southeastern Mediterranean Sea (SEMS) is frequently exposed to desert-dust deposition which supplies nutrients, trace metals and a wide array of viable airborne microorganisms. In this study, we experimentally examined the impact of aerosol addition, collected during an intense dust storm event in early September 2015, on the biomass and activity of pico-phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacterial populations at the sea-surface micro layer (SML) relative to the sub surface layer (SSL). Aerosol (1.5 mg L −1 ) was added to SML and SSL water samples in microcosms (4.5 L) and the water was frequently sampled over a period of 48 h. While the aerosol amendment triggered a moderate 1.5-2-fold increase in primary production in both the SML and the SSL, bacterial production increased by ∼3 and ∼7-folds in the SSL and SML, respectively. Concurrently, the abundance and flow-cytometric characteristics (green fluorescence and side scatter signals) of high nucleic acid (HNA) and low nucleic acid (LNA) bacterial cells showed a significant increase in the %HNA, in both SML and SSL samples following aerosol amendment. This shift in nucleic acid content took place at a much faster rate in the SML, suggesting a more active heterotrophic community. These changes were likely a result of higher rates of carbon utilizations in the SML following the dust addition, as assessed by a selected hydrocarbons and saccharides analysis. Additionally, a high absorption rate of hydrocarbons by the aerosol particles was measured following the additions, leaving less than 10% of these molecules available for potential heterotrophic microbial utilization. Our results suggest that the heterotrophic microbial community inhabiting the SML is more efficient in utilizing aerosol associated constituents than the community in the SSL.

Background The environmental role of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) acquisition and infection in human disease has been described but not thoroughly investigated. We aimed to assess the occurrence of CPE in nearshore aquatic bodies. Methods Enterobacteriaceae were cultured from coastal and estuary water near Netanya, Israel in June and July of 2018. Bacteria were identified by VITEK2® and their antimicrobial susceptibility was tested according to the CLSI guidelines. Enterobacteriaceae genomes were sequenced to elucidate their resistome and carbapenemase types. Results Among other clinically relevant bacteria, four CPE (three Enterobacter spp and one Escherichia coli isolate) were isolated from two river estuaries (Poleg and Alexander Rivers) and coastal water at a popular recreational beach (Beit Yanai). Molecular analysis and genome sequencing revealed the persistent presence of rare beta-lactamase resistance genes, including blaIMI-2 and a previously unknown blaIMI-20 allele, which were not found among the local epidemiological strains. Genome comparisons revealed the high identity of riverine and marine CPE that were cultivated one month apart. Conclusions We show that CPE contamination was widespread in nearshore marine and riverine habitats. The high genome-level similarity of riverine and marine CPEs, isolated one month apart, hints at the common source of infection. We discuss the clinical implications of these findings and stress the urgent need to assess the role of the aquatic environment in CPE epidemiology.

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