Global transport of thermophilic bacteria in atmospheric dust

摘要: Summary Aerosols from dust storms generated in the Sahara-Sahel desert area of Africa are transported north over Europe and periodically result dry precipitation Mediterranean region. Samples collected Turkey Greece following two distinct storm events contained viable thermophilic organisms genus Geobacillus, namely G. thermoglucosidasius thermodenitrificans, recently reclassified Aeribacillus pallidus (formerly Geobacillus pallidus). We present here evidence that African create an atmospheric bridge between distant geographical regions they also probably source geobacilli later deposited northern by rainfall or plumes themselves. The same (99% similarity 16S rDNA sequence) were found region inhabiting cool soils Northern Ireland. This study contributes new insights to taxonomic identification sp. Attempts identify these using rRNA gene sequences have revealed contain multiple diverse copies ribosomal RNA operon (up 10 with nine different sequences), which dictates care interpreting data about systematics this genus.