Unveiling characteristics of algae pond aerosolization and pathogen transmission: Temporal regulation simulation...

Algae ponds present a source of surface water spray bioaerosol (SWSBA), while little is known about the more severe and frequent biohazards in extreme weather. This study simulates C. vulgaris and M. aeruginosa growth under rain scenarios, focusing on three aspects: air-water qualities from SWSBA diffusion concentration, microorganism species communities (SWMC), and the chemical components of SWSBA spreads, adopting the newly fabricated SWSBA diffusion system. The results showed that C. vulgaris cell densities (5.9 × 10⁶-9.0 × 10⁶ cells/ml) enhanced E. coli-SWSBA diffusion concentrations. Nine types of SWSBA concentrations with varied cell densities in a temporal scale within 7-day co-cultivation responded to proliferated waterborne bacteria or fungi-microalgae species organizations. When the rain runoff contains finer PE microplastics input into the E. coli-M. aeruginosa water, other than the E. coli-C. vulgaris water, the SWSBA concentration is 2.97 times elevated in 0.15-0.5 m air-water surfaces. The acidic nutrient runoffs increase the concentration of E. coli-SWSBAs by more than 267 %, demonstrating SWMC chemotaxis responses. Emission and dispersion by nutrient inputs, specifically E. coli-SWSBA, intensify human windpipe exposures. These insights are highlighted for understanding community interactions with SWSBA and water pollution and developing effective remediation strategies in cities.