During 18 dust storms from June 2022 to September 2023, bacterial and fungal concentrations were measured in dust collected in different parts of the Sistan region of Iran, including Zabol and Zahak (i.e., urban environments) and Ghorghori, Adimi, and Aliakbar (i.e., non-urban environments). The goal was to assess (a) the spatial distribution of airborne microbes across Sistan to identify hotspots of high levels, (b) airborne microbe concentrations in urban and non-urban environments, and (c) the influence of Hamoun lakes on airborne microbial concentrations. The highest bacterial and fungal concentrations per gram of dust were observed in Zabol (3.5 ×106 and 1.2 ×104 cfu g−1) and the lowest in Ghorghori (1.16 ×104 and 1.1 ×103 cfu g−1). The highest bacterial and fungal concentrations per sampled area were found in Aliakbar (4.7 ×107 and 8.6 ×104 cfu g−1) and the lowest in Ghorghori (1.9×107 and 3.2 ×104 cfu g−1). Aliakbar and Zahak were the most serious airborne microbial hazard sites based on high loads of dust and, consequently, microbes. Hamoun lakes contribute to airborne microbial pollution across Sistan. Management of lakes is suggested as a key path forward to reduce dispersal of microbes.

中文翻译：

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伊朗锡斯坦地区是否存在空气微生物热点区域？：微生物浓度及其与灰尘关系的空间分析


在 2022 年 6 月至 2023 年 9 月的 18 场沙尘暴期间，对伊朗锡斯坦地区不同地区收集的灰尘中的细菌和真菌浓度进行了测量，这些地区包括 Zabol 和 Zahak（即城市环境）以及 Ghorghori、Adimi 和 Aliakbar（即非城市环境）。目标是评估 (a) 整个锡斯坦空气微生物的空间分布，以确定高浓度热点；(b) 城市和非城市环境中的空气微生物浓度；以及 (c) 哈蒙湖对空气微生物浓度的影响。每克灰尘中细菌和真菌浓度最高的是 Zabol（3.5 ×106 和 1.2 ×104 cfu g−1），最低的是 Ghorghori（1.16 ×104 和 1.1 ×103 cfu g−1）。每个采样区域的细菌和真菌浓度最高的是 Aliakbar（4.7 ×107 和 8.6 ×104 cfu g−1），最低的是 Ghorghori（1.9×107 和 3.2 ×104 cfu g−1）。 Aliakbar 和 Zahak 是最严重的空气微生物危害地点，因为灰尘含量高，因此微生物含量也高。哈蒙湖造成了整个锡斯坦的空气微生物污染。建议将湖泊管理作为减少微生物扩散的关键途径。