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Title |
Microbial Pollution at the Water-Air Interface and Integrated Management Approaches in Korea: A Review
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Authors |
박상훈(Sanghun Park) ; 최아름(Ahreum Choi) ; 이상림(Sang Rim Lee) ; 장지이(Jiyi Jang) |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.15681/KSWE.2026.42.4.373 |
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Keywords |
Bioaerosols; Integrated environmental management; Microbial pollution; Microbial transport; One health; Water-air interface |
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Abstract |
Microbial contamination is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental issue that impacts water quality, air quality, ecosystem integrity, and public health. Traditionally, microorganisms have been studied in isolation within aquatic or atmospheric environments. However, recent evidence underscores the water?air interface as a crucial pathway for microbial exchange and the formation of complex pollution. Microorganisms from wastewater, agricultural runoff, and eutrophic waters can become aerosolized through physical processes such as bubble bursting and spray generation. These aerosols can be transported over long distances and redeposited into terrestrial and aquatic systems via wet and dry deposition, creating a bidirectional microbial circulation between water and air. This review synthesizes recent international studies and emerging domestic case studies from Korea on water?air microbial interactions, with a focus on coastal, urban, and marine environments. It summarizes the key mechanisms that control microbial aerosolization, selective transfer, and atmospheric survival. Additionally, we discuss how the exchange of microorganisms between water and air contributes to the spread of pathogens, toxins, and antibiotic resistance genes, linking environmental contamination to ecosystem integrity and potential health risks. By comparing global research trends with domestic studies in Korea, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps, particularly the need for integrated, long-term monitoring of water and air compartments. Finally, we outline future research directions and policy implications for the integrated management of water?air microbial pollution within a One Health framework.
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