Capturing the Aerobiome: Application of Polyurethane Foam Disk Passive Samplers for Bioaerosol Monitoring

Abstract

Bioaerosols are ubiquitous and play a significant role in global climate and human health due to inhalation exposure. Passive air sampling of bioaerosols, as a complementary method to active sampling using pumps, is increasingly valued due to its simplicity, electricity-free operations, and cost-effectiveness in providing time-integrated samples over weeks/months. In this study, polyurethane foam disk passive air samplers (PUF-PAS), passive dry deposition air samplers (PAS-DDs), and active highvolume (Hi-Vol) air samplers were deployed in Toronto and the Athabasca oil sands region (OSR) in the first stages of a proof-ofconcept exercise for bioaerosols. Airborne bacterial and fungal communities were characterized using MiSeq DNA sequencing. All sampler types were shown to successfully collect bioaerosols. The dominant bacterial and fungal phyla observed by all samplers were qualitatively similar. Species richness and community structure of the airborne bacterial and fungal communities varied with sites and seasons. Principal coordination analysis indicated that bacterial and fungal communities differed between Toronto and OSR. Further work is required to calibrate and characterize the uptake of PUF-PAS and PAS-DD for bioaerosols to derive quantitative information on their abundance to better assess sources and potential exposure risks.

Cross-cutting research and future directions under the GAPS networks

“…3 Tracking the aerobiome using PUF-PAS. 76 emerging chemicals and the associated challenges for air science, risk assessment and risk management. 81,83 Signicant contributions from the unique data and samples available from the GAPS network are envisioned in the following areas:…”

“…Approximately 16 to 25% of ambient PM comprises environmental DNA (eDNA) which is accumulated in air and contributes to the aerobiomethe collection of living and dead microscopic organisms inhabiting the atmosphere. 29,76,77 This provides an opportunity to monitor eDNA through air sampling and by doing so track spatial and temporal changes in biodiversity and the aerobiome. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at the eenth meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) and sets out 4 goals and 23 targets for a world living in harmony with nature by 2025.…”

“…This presents an excellent opportunity for utilizing existing PUF-PAS samples from the GAPS networks. Kalisa et al (2024) have recently investigated and reported on the successful proof-of-concept for a sensitive method for measuring bacterial and fungal bioaerosols using PUF-PAS deployed across several sites in the oil sands region of Canada and in Toronto (Fig. 3).…”