title: Morphological classification of bioaerosols from composting using scanning electron microscopy.
abstract: This research classifies the physical morphology (form and structure) of bioaerosols emitted from open windrow composting. Aggregation state, shape and size of the particles captured are reported alongside the implications for bioaerosol dispersal after release. Bioaerosol sampling took place at a composting facility using personal air filter samplers. Samples were analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Particles were released mainly as small (<1 μm) single, spherical cells, followed by larger (>1 μm) single cells, with aggregates occurring in smaller proportions. Most aggregates consisted of clusters of 2-3 particles as opposed to chains, and were <10 μm in size. No cells were attached to soil debris or wood particles. These small single cells or small aggregates are more likely to disperse further downwind from source, and cell viability may be reduced due to increased exposure to environmental factors.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Energy and Resource Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Building 40, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK; FIRA International Ltd., Maxwell Road, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2EW, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamer Vestlund
authors.affiliation: Institute for Energy and Resource Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Building 40, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al-Ashaab
authors.affiliation: Institute for Energy and Resource Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Building 40, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Tyrrel
authors.affiliation: Institute for Energy and Resource Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Building 40, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Longhurst
authors.affiliation: Institute for Energy and Resource Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Building 40, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
authors.forename: S J T
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.affiliation: Institute for Energy and Resource Technology, Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Building 40, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK. Electronic address: g.h.drew@cranfield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Drew
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis*; D000391:Air Microbiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Aggregation; Bioaerosols; Dispersion; Particle size; SEM