Bacterial composition of dust deposited in Qatar: A seasonal study

Abstract

Dust storms in the Middle East threaten public health by deteriorating air quality and transporting microorganisms over vast distances. This study analyzes seasonal variations in dust-borne bacterial diversity on photovoltaic (PV) panels using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics to assess community composition and metabolic potential. Our findings suggest that seasonal ecological factors have potential effects on the composition of the airborne bacterial community. In Qatar, the high atmospheric CO₂ levels associated with hydrocarbon refining had promoted the growth of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria belonging to the phyla Campilobacterota, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota. High temperatures and photothermal reactions of summer conditions have favored sulfur-metabolizing bacteria. Conversely, milder temperatures, increased humidity, reduced wind speed, and a decline in summer-favoring bacteria had contributed to the increased abundance of the phyla Patescibacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota during other seasons. This study had also identified dust borne pathogenic bacteria associated with human and plant diseases, highlighting the need for environmental surveillance to monitor microbial diversity and its shifts driven by ecological factors. This knowledge is crucial for public health, environmental protection, sustainable farming and advancing our understanding of microbial ecology.