Contact
Viggó Marteinsson
Research Group Leader
viggo@matis.is
Praiseworthy bacterial cells that fall from the atmosphere participate as the first settlers in communities that form on the earth's surface. Environments that contain low bacterial densities, such as the volcanic areas in Iceland, are mainly exposed to airborne bacteria. Atmosphere is the main route of distribution of bacteria but about 1016 bacteria enter the atmosphere from the earth's surface every second.
The success of the distribution depends on: (i) the ability of bacteria to survive and multiply in transport in the atmosphere, and (ii) their ability to compete with existing bacterial communities for inputs.
The diversity of microorganisms in the atmosphere over Iceland has not yet been studied. In addition, it is not known whether the physiological and metabolic status of bacteria in distribution affects their ability to study land in a new environment.
The goals of research that is currently underway at Matís, and is funded by Rannís, is firstly to define the diversity and origins of microbial communities in the atmosphere and to study the relationship of diversity with volcanic areas. Second, the physiological and metabolic status of airborne bacteria will be examined, affecting their ability to land in specific volcanic areas.
The results of the research will contribute to a better understanding of the laws that affect the pattern of microbial distribution and increase our understanding of their distribution on Earth.