ArcticAir
Université de Lausanne - UNIL
Lay summary
Invasions of new microorganisms in remote ecosystems pose a significant threat to the diversity and function of local communities and ecosystems. In the Arctic, the primary source of new microorganisms is aerial transport. Airborne microorganisms can travel intercontinental distances and colonize remote environments. In the Arctic, the Polar Dome may currently limit such invasions but warm air mass intrusions from mid-latitudes to the Arctic may provide a new highway for incoming airborne microorganisms. This is raising concerns about their impact on Arctic ecosystems and local microbial communities.
By conducting air sampling in Iceland, Greenland and through the Northwest Passage to Alaska, we will investigate the richness and diversity of these airborne communities, the factors influencing their communities, and determine their metabolic activity. We will compare these communities to other polar and non-polar communities to determine the risks of microbial invasions.
Details
| Regional focus | Arctic |
| Location | From Iceland to Alaska through the NorthWest passage |
| Funded amount | 20,000 CHF |
| Project dates | 1st June 2023 – 1st June 2024 |
| Category | SPI Exploratory Grants |