Long-term features of cloud microbiology at the puy de Dôme (France)

Despite the enormous volume they represent and the importance they have for Earth’s climate, clouds remain environments where the microbiological features are still poorly understood. Studies of the microbial content existing in the atmosphere have demonstrated extreme quantitative and qualitative variability, of which the drivers yet need to be determined. Between 2007 and 2010, we collected cloud water from the puy de Dôme summit in France (1465 m a.s.l.) for chemical and microbiological analysis. These data were combined with cloud data collected between 2004 and 2005 following similar protocols. Overall, the cultivable community of chemotrophic aerobic microorganisms was dominated by pigmented colonies and accounted for <1% of the 3.3 × 103 to 2.5 × 105 total bacteria mL−1, but up to 41% of the 8.9 × 102 to 3.2 × 104 fungal cells mL−1. None of the concentrations of the chemical compounds measured was linked to the variations observed for the microbiological content, suggesting distinct sources and/or distinct modes of incorporation into cloud water. However, the overall dataset indicated that microorganisms in clouds were mostly originating from continental areas, especially from vegetation. We isolated and identified 185 heterotrophic bacteria and 150 yeasts from our samples (including -Alpha, -Beta and Gamma-Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, and Basidiomycetous and Ascomycetous yeasts), the corresponding 16S and 26S rRNA gene sequences of which have been deposited in GenBank. A few genera largely dominated the pool of cultivable microorganisms in clouds, such as Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas for bacteria, which were detected in more than 40% of the clouds sampled, and Dioszegia and Udeniomyces for yeasts, detected in more than 60% of the samples. The recurring presence of some groups of microorganisms suggests that they have elaborated strategies of increased survival in the atmosphere and clouds.

► Microbiological content in 34 cloud water samples collected in 8 years.
► The concentration of microorganisms was linked to the origin of the air mass.
► The main source of viable microorganisms for clouds is probably vegetation.
► Presence of recurring groups (Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas…).
► Certain microorganisms seem better fitted for living in the atmosphere than others.