Subway station microbiome (PRJCA032993)
Subway systems play a crucial role in facilitating human life in high-density cities, yet they also elevate the risk of interactions between humans and pathogenic microbes in the environment. Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of the subway air microbiome is essential for effective urban public health management. In this study, we investigated the air microbiome across 15 representative stations within the world largest subway station over the course of a year. Our findings indicate that environmental factors,  , such as temperature and PM2.5 levels, along with seasonal variations and station types, significantly influence the microbial composition and structure. Notably, the microbial community compositions varied markedly across different seasons and station types. We observed a positive correlation between PM2.5 levels and both microbial diversity and the distribution of human pathogens. Intercity hub stations, in particular, demonstrated the highest diversity of human pathogens, highlighting their potential as transmission hotspots in densely populated areas.