The Importance Of Airborne Algae and Protozoa

Abstract

Membrane filters, bubblers, and exposed culture media were used to sample viable algae and protozoa from the atmosphere in Michigan, Texas, and North Carolina from 1956 to 1967. Aerial algae and protozoa were most abundant and diverse in North Central Texas, 0 - 8 cells/ft³, less abundant and diverse in Michigan, 0-1.8 cells/ft³, and least abundant in Coastal North Carolina, less than 0.41 cells/ft³. Other significant research from 1910 to 1968 is reviewed. A total of 187 taxa of algae and protozoa has been sampled and cultured through this period. The importance of airborne algae and protozoa to man is shown as related to allergies, radioactivity, clogging of air filters, an aid in determining the origin of hurricanes and other storms and adding to our understanding of the dispersal of these microorganisms throughout the world.