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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Rupturing of Biological Spores As a Source of Secondary Particles in Amazonia

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Author(s):
China, Swarup ; Wang, Bingbing ; Weis, Johannes ; Rizzo, Luciana ; Brito, Joel ; Cirino, Glauber G. ; Kovarik, Libor ; Artaxo, Paulo ; Gilles, Mary K. ; Laskin, Alexander
Total Authors: 10
Document type: Journal article
Source: Environmental Science & Technology; v. 50, n. 22, p. 12179-12186, NOV 15 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 9
Abstract

Airborne biological particles, such as fungal spores and pollen, are ubiquitous in the Earth's atmosphere and may influence the atmospheric environment and climate, impacting air quality, cloud formation, and the Earth's radiation budget. The atmospheric transformations of airborne biological spores at elevated relative humidity remain poorly understood and their climatic role is uncertain. Using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), we observed rupturing of Amazonian fungal spores and subsequent release of submicrometer size fragments after exposure to high humidity. We find that fungal fragments contain elements of inorganic salts (e.g., Na and Cl). They are hygroscopic in nature with a growth factor up to 2.3 at 96% relative humidity, thus they may potentially influence cloud formation. Due to their hygroscopic growth, light scattering cross sections of the fragments are enhanced by up to a factor of 10. Furthermore, rupturing of fungal spores at high humidity may explain the bursting events of new particle formation in Amazonia. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/25058-1 - Impact of Manaus urban pollution on gases and particulate matter composition in the Amazon forest
Grantee:Joel Ferreira de Brito
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 13/05014-0 - GoAmazon: interactions of the urban plume of Manaus with biogenic forest emissions in Amazonia
Grantee:Paulo Eduardo Artaxo Netto
Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 08/58100-2 - Aeroclima: direct and indirect effects of aerosols on climate in Amazonia and Pantanal
Grantee:Paulo Eduardo Artaxo Netto
Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants