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Environmental Microbiology

Indoor-Air Microbiome in an Urban Subway Network: Diversity and Dynamics

Marcus H. Y. Leung, David Wilkins, Ellen K. T. Li, Fred K. F. Kong, Patrick K. H. Lee
G. T. Macfarlane, Editor
Marcus H. Y. Leung
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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David Wilkins
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Ellen K. T. Li
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Fred K. F. Kong
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Patrick K. H. Lee
School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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G. T. Macfarlane
Roles: Editor
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DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02244-14
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ABSTRACT

Subway systems are indispensable for urban societies, but microbiological characteristics of subway aerosols are relatively unknown. Previous studies investigating microbial compositions in subways employed methodologies that underestimated the diversity of microbial exposure for commuters, with little focus on factors governing subway air microbiology, which may have public health implications. Here, a culture-independent approach unraveling the bacterial diversity within the urban subway network in Hong Kong is presented. Aerosol samples from multiple subway lines and outdoor locations were collected. Targeting the 16S rRNA gene V4 region, extensive taxonomic diversity was found, with the most common bacterial genera in the subway environment among those associated with skin. Overall, subway lines harbored different phylogenetic communities based on α- and β-diversity comparisons, and closer inspection suggests that each community within a line is dependent on architectural characteristics, nearby outdoor microbiomes, and connectedness with other lines. Microbial diversities and assemblages also varied depending on the day sampled, as well as the time of day, and changes in microbial communities between peak and nonpeak commuting hours were attributed largely to increases in skin-associated genera in peak samples. Microbial diversities within the subway were influenced by temperature and relative humidity, while carbon dioxide levels showed a positive correlation with abundances of commuter-associated genera. This Hong Kong data set and communities from previous studies conducted in the United States formed distinct community clusters, indicating that additional work is required to unravel the mechanisms that shape subway microbiomes around the globe.

FOOTNOTES

    • Received 11 July 2014.
    • Accepted 21 August 2014.
    • Accepted manuscript posted online 29 August 2014.
  • Supplemental material for this article may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02244-14.

  • Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
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Indoor-Air Microbiome in an Urban Subway Network: Diversity and Dynamics
Marcus H. Y. Leung, David Wilkins, Ellen K. T. Li, Fred K. F. Kong, Patrick K. H. Lee
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Oct 2014, 80 (21) 6760-6770; DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02244-14

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Indoor-Air Microbiome in an Urban Subway Network: Diversity and Dynamics
Marcus H. Y. Leung, David Wilkins, Ellen K. T. Li, Fred K. F. Kong, Patrick K. H. Lee
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Oct 2014, 80 (21) 6760-6770; DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02244-14
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