PNAS, 9 September 2024
Microbial richness and air chemistry in aerosols above the PBL confirm 2,000-km long-distance transport of potential human pathogens
Atmospheric aircraft monitoring with 10 tropospheric flights over the planetary boundary layer in Japan (between 1,000 m and 3,000 m above sea-level) demonstrate the presence of viable bacteria and fungi harmful to humans.
Long-distance transport for over 2,000 km is possible in the free troposphere for air masses originating in agricultural regions enriched in fertilizers and pesticides.