Aerial Pathways of Microbial Connectivity Between Waterbodies

Microorganisms play a significant role in ecological and geochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, which may also impact water quality and ecosystem health. Understanding the ecological dynamics and evolution of microbial populations in terrestrial water bodies is crucial for evaluating their resilience and adaptability to environmental changes driven by climate change and anthropogenic activities. This research examines inter-environmental connectivity of microorganisms across different terrestrial water bodies to elucidate potential ecosystem implications under changing climatic conditions. To study aerial transmission, connectivity, and microbial survivability, air samples were collected from different water bodies across Israel, including the Dead Sea, Lake Kinneret, and the Mediterranean Sea, using two different air sampling methods and processed using culture-dependent and independent techniques. We will present our findings on airborne microbial dispersal patterns, diversity, and abundance, focusing on aerial transport, viability, and subsequent adaptations. Additional results on bacteria-phage lysogeny in the aerosolized bacterial fraction will be presented, and implications discussed. Our results demonstrate a high presence of viable aquatic bacteria in air samples from various water bodies under different growth conditions, highlighting their adaptability and resilience to environmental changes.

Keywords: Aerial transport, microbial connectivity, climate change, aquatic environments.