Passively Sampled Environmental Films Show Geographic Variability and Host a Variety of Microorganisms

Jacob S Grant; Patrick M Richards; Christopher R Anderton; Zihua Zhu; Timothy E Mattes; Scott K Shaw

doi:10.1021/acsearthspacechem.9b00234

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Passively Sampled Environmental Films Show Geographic Variability and Host a Variety of Microorganisms

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Passively Sampled Environmental Films Show Geographic Variability and Host a Variety of Microorganisms

Jacob S Grant, Patrick M Richards, Christopher R Anderton, Zihua Zhu, Timothy E Mattes and Scott K Shaw

ACS earth and space chemistry, Vol.3(12), pp.2726-2735

12/19/2019

DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.9b00234

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https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1615006View

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Abstract

Environmental films are ubiquitous coatings that form on virtually all surfaces exposed to the troposphere. This work analyzes large-molecular-weight species in native environmental films acquired at three collection sites in the vicinity of Iowa City, IA, U.S.A., that include an urban residence, a wooded area, and a metropolitan building rooftop. The films are developed for up to 12 months on polished silicon wafer substrates housed in flat-plate passive samplers. Film composition was assessed by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance secondary ion mass spectrometry (FTICR-SIMS), and spatially resolved chemical morphology was analyzed via time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging. Mass analysis spanning up to m/z 2000 included detection of a variety of organic and inorganic compounds. We characterize mass spectrometry data with principal component analysis to identify variability between the collection sites and the respective films generated therein, where we detected a variety of organic and biotically generated species, consistent with fungal and bacterial microorganisms. The film collection site and deposition time contribute to spectral variability, suggesting that the geographic location and seasonal diversity may affect composition. SIMS analyses were complemented with microscopy and SYBR-Safe staining to highlight biological microorganisms within the films, which include evidence of fungi, protozoa, and bacteria. SIMS imaging also reveals domains concentrated with fragments indicative of proteinaceous macromolecules and microbial biomass, characteristic of the biological presence within the film.

Mass Spectrometry

Morphology

environmental film

imaging

fate and transport

speciation

Details

Title: Subtitle: Passively Sampled Environmental Films Show Geographic Variability and Host a Variety of Microorganisms
Creators: Jacob S Grant
Patrick M Richards
Christopher R Anderton - Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
Zihua Zhu - Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
Timothy E Mattes
Scott K Shaw
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: ACS earth and space chemistry, Vol.3(12), pp.2726-2735
DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.9b00234
ISSN: 2472-3452
eISSN: 2472-3452
Publisher: American Chemical Society
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000183, name: Army Research Office, award: 71600-CH; DOI: 10.13039/100005187, name: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, award: NRC-HQ-84-14-G-0037
Language: English
Date published: 12/19/2019
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Chemistry
Record Identifier: 9984001094702771

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