Characteristics of microbial activity in atmospheric aerosols and its relationship to chemical composition of PM2.5 in Xi'an, China

Microbial activity levels in atmospheric aerosols can affect human health, and ecosystem and atmospheric processes. However, information on the influence of microbial activity in atmospheric aerosols remains very limited. In this study, the characteristics of microbial activity in atmospheric aerosols in Xi'an, China, were determined using the fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis method. The influences of meteorological factors, height and water-soluble inorganic ions on microbial activity were examined. The results indicate that the levels of the atmospheric inorganic ions increased as the air quality index (AQI) increased. The microbial activity and concentration of PM2.5 were significantly positively correlated during sampling period (p