Atmospheric Habitat
dispersal of airbone particles
3 stages
deposition
dispersion in air current
liberation and take-off into the air
physical features of the aerial environment
precipitation
radiation
air movement in the troposphere
atmosphere
example of micororganisms
sporea are better adapted to the atmosphere
type
endospores
forms that are primarily adapted to resistance rather than production
xenospores
forms that are primarily adapted to reproduction vs resistance to environmental stress
small size and low density
some are pigmented
thick cell wall-against dessication
produced in high number
low metabolic rate
precipitation aids deposition
air movement provide means of dispersal
thermal gradient causes rapidmixing allowing for dispersal of microbes
lower trophosphere contains high number of microbes
other extreme environments
ionizing radiation
lack of nutrient, water availability
toxic chemicals
irradiation
pH
high or low temperature
severe condition
region
troposphere
characteristics
Subtopic
water
organic carbon
conc. 02
atm pressure
air temperature
nearest to the earth
lonosphere
extreme uv and ionizing radiation levels
exosphere
helium and H2 predominant
extending into outer space
thermosphere
temperature increases with altitude
mesophere
temperature decreasing with height
stratosphere
lacking liquid water
extreme low temperature
location of 'good' ozone, limits uv light
increasing temperature with height
composition
other gases
carbon dioxide
oxygen
nitrogen
