Variation of correlations between factors and culturable airborne bacteria and fungi

Abstract Bioaerosols, including their characteristics and overall changes correlated with environmental factors, have the potential to impact human health and influence atmospheric dynamics. In this study, the varying interrelationship between the concentration and diameter of culturable bioaerosols and twelve factors including PM2.5 (AQI), PM10 (AQI), sampling time, sampling season, temperature, relative humidity, dew, pressure, wind, O 3 , NO 2 , and SO 2 is determined for twelve months during non-haze and haze days in Beijing. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the influence of factors on culturable bioaerosols is mainly associated with haze levels, sampling time, and season. Multiple linear regressions showed that the correlation between PM10 (AQI) or temperature and culturable bioaerosols varied at different haze levels. The seasonal influence of PM2.5 (AQI) was observed in culturable bioaerosol concentrations, but not their diameters. A temporal relationship between PM10 (AQI) and culturable bioaerosol concentration was detected during rush hour. SO 2 and NO 2 show positive and negative correlations with culturable bioaerosol concentrations in the morning/evening and mid-day, respectively. These results are useful for accurately evaluating the health effects of exposure to bioaerosols.