Abstract:
To investigate the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of
Enterobacteriaceae loaded by size-segregated bioaerosols from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), size-segregated bioaerosols in different seasons were collected within and around a WWTP in Jiangsu Province, and the concentration of the loaded
Enterobacteriaceae was then analyzed. For the
Enterobacteriaceae in overall bioaerosols and corresponding respiratory fragments, winter was the dominant emission season, and the sludge dewatering room was the main emission unit. Significant difference of
Enterobacteriaceae loaded on size-segregated bioaerosols from WWTPs was found among different seasons or treatment units. Compared to upwind, the WWTP and downwind were characterized with higher enrichment of
Enterobacteriaceae in overall bioaerosols and corresponding respiratory fragments. The size distribution of
Enterobacteriaceae loaded by bioaerosols was significantly different between the WWTP and upwind, with a dissimilarity of 64.32%; that between the WWTP and downwind were not significantly different, and the dissimilarity decreased to 32.17%. The relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation, all had significant effects on the
Enterobacteriaceae loaded by size-segregated bioaerosols (
P < 0.05); among them, the relative humidity was the predominant factor. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the risk assessment and control of bioaerosol pollution in WWTPs.