FOREST-BIO

Field Observations of Real-time Emissions of Soil and Tree BIOaerosols

7 May 2025 - 31 August 2025

Lead Scientist: Swarup China

Observatory: AMF (ARM Mobile Facility 3)

Field Observations of Real-time Emissions of Soil and Tree BIOaerosols (FOREST-BIO)

Primary Biological Atmospheric Particles (PBAPs) play a critical role in the environmental systems by influencing ice cloud formation and by contributing essential nutrients to ecosystems. Bioaerosols including pollen, fungal spores, bacteria, and plant debris are emitted directly from the biosphere and affect hydrological cycles by acting as nuclei for cloud droplets and ice crystals. They may also contribute to land-use changes through their interactions with environment and ecosystems. Accurate characterization of these particles is vital to assess their generation, transport, and impacts on forest ecosystem and water cycles. The main objective of this project is to quantify the concentration of bioaerosols and types of bioaerosols emitted from soils and trees into the atmosphere. We employ in situ measurements using a Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS), coupled with a machine learning model, to classify and quantify the different types of bioaerosols present at the Bankhead National Forest.