Can ocean Bubbles spread diseases? The Role of Bubble Burst Aerosols in the Transport of Marine Pathogens

Bubbles are ubiquitous throughout the ocean surface. Storms and breaking waves entrain air bubbles within the water column that collect particles as they rise to the surface, releasing the collected material as aerosols when they burst. It has been established that this mechanism can eject viruses and bacteria into the lower atmosphere, where pathogens may be transported great distances from their origin point (Aller et al., 2005).
Whilst it is known that pathogens are transported through this mechanism, the details and importance of bubble burst aerosols in pathogen transport are not well understood. Recent increases in the incidence of marine infectious diseases (Harvell et al., 2004) and the potential impacts on fishing, aquaculture, and human health make improving our understanding of marine pathogen dispersal essential.
This project aims to quantify pathogen transport via this mechanism by combining lab-based bubble bursting experiments with molecular genetic techniques for the first time.