Sea to air bacteria transfer over the baltic sea coast and Gulf of Gda sk

The number concentration of living bacteria within the psychrophile and mesophile categories, in the water and in the air along with meteorology and hydrographic conditions were investigated over the Southern Baltic Sea and coastal station in Lubiatowo in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Separate data sets were collected at four coastal stations over the Gulf of Gdafisk in Jantar, Zaspa, Sopot and Mechelinki as well as during two latitudinal profile measurements over the Gulf. In addition to field measurements, several sea water samples were investigated in laboratory to evaluate the babble mediated bacteria scavenge and enrichment in the sea derived droplets. That part of study was performed using the Air-Sea Exchange Measuring System (A-SEMS), which simulate production of bubbles in the water and related generation of jet and film droplets. Bubbles raising through the water column collect bacteria and other suspended material and transport them upward to the water surface. When the bubble burst collected material are skimmed off the bubble to become enriched in the jet and film droplets. After ejection airborne sea derived droplets may quickly evaporate to attain the equilibrium with ambient air humidity and as a stream of small droplets can be transported into the atmosphere. The wind speed conditions might control the horizontal and vertical transport and bacteria distribution in the boundary layer. The fate of bacteria in the air may possibly depend on sunlight intensity and ambient air humidity, however we know almost nothing about processes controlling the bacteria behavior in the marine air.