ABSTRACT
Aerosolized microorganisms have become an important factor in assessing air quality. To determine the characteristics of bacterial bioaerosols in air and rainwater, as well as calculate the recovery rate of bacteria after rains in Ho Chi Minh City, our study was performed using the SKC Biostage sampler for airborne bacteria and Plate Count Agar (PCA) medium for bacterial concentration. Subsequently, the study determined the bacterial community composition at the phylum and order levels using the 16S rRNA (16S metabarcoding) method. Before the rain, bacterial concentrations in the air ranged from 263.39 ± 21.00 to 277.39 ± 78.99 CFU/m3, and in rainwater 264.89 ± 51.17 to 285.72 ± 28.00 CFU/m3. Following rains, the bacterial concentrations decreased to their lowest levels within the first 1-2 h and gradually increased thereafter, reaching their peak after 9 h for heavy rain and after 12 h for light and moderate rains. The bacterial bioaerosols recovery rate was determined to be 100% for light and moderate rains and 94.6% for heavy rain. The change in bacterial concentration after rainfall showed a positive correlation with temperature (r = 0.85) and CO2 concentration (r = 0.70) and a negative correlation with relative humidity (r = - 0.79). Bacterial composition analysis revealed that the Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria phyla were dominant and characteristic of the humid tropical climate in Vietnam. Notably, Firmicutes were the most prevalent phylum both before and after rains. The increased prevalence of certain bacterial orders, particularly Staphylococcus, could contribute to the spread of pathogens, particularly foodborne pathogens. In addition to rain, relative humidity contributed to reducing bacterial bioaerosols concentration and their recovery rate after the rain.
