Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Bioaerosol Detection, Characterization, and Modeling

A special issue of Aerobiology (ISSN 2813-5075).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2026 | Viewed by 2577

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mathematics and Physics "E. De Giorgi", University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: atmospheric aerosols; bioaerosols; aerosol–climate interactions; optical and microphysical properties; instruments for aerosol detection and analysis
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Guest Editor
Maths and Physics Department, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: particulate matter; bioaerosol; DNA metabarcoding; airborne bacteria; airborne fungi
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Applying artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in atmospheric and environmental sciences has opened new perspectives for understanding complex phenomena, such as bioaerosol dynamics. Bioaerosols, comprising biological particles like bacteria, fungi, pollen, molds, and viruses, represent a crucial aspect of atmospheric processes with direct implications for public health and ecosystems. The study of bioaerosols, however, faces significant challenges due to their complex nature and the need for advanced methodologies to detect, quantify, and model their behavior in diverse environments.

This Special Issue aims to explore the use of AI-driven approaches in the study and research of bioaerosols, focusing on integrating machine learning, deep learning, and other AI techniques in bioaerosol detection, characterization, and prediction. We invite contributions demonstrating how AI is being utilized to analyze large datasets from sensors, remote sensing technologies, and field measurements to gain insights into bioaerosol distribution, sources, and transport mechanisms. Moreover, we encourage manuscripts that investigate AI's potential in advancing bioaerosol monitoring systems, improving models of bioaerosol behavior, and enhancing the accuracy of risk assessment models in relation to human health and ecosystem services.

We welcome both experimental and computational studies that demonstrate the role of AI in addressing the challenges associated with bioaerosol research, and we are particularly interested in contributions that bridge the gap between technology development and practical applications in the field.

Dr. Salvatore Romano
Dr. Mattia Fragola
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • artificial intelligence
  • bioaerosols
  • machine learning
  • deep learning
  • bioaerosol detection
  • environmental monitoring
  • aerosol dynamics
  • public health

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1391 KB  
Article
Impact of Bioaerosol Particles on Atmospheric Charging/Discharging and Conductivity in the Global Electric Circuit (GEC)
by Kenji Miki
Aerobiology 2026, 4(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerobiology4010006 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 695
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of atmospheric ions, the carriers of electrons and ions in the global electric circuit (GEC), is necessary to fully understand Earth’s atmospheric electricity. Because atmospheric ions are too small to be influenced by gravity, the gravitational settling of aerosol particle [...] Read more.
Understanding the dynamics of atmospheric ions, the carriers of electrons and ions in the global electric circuit (GEC), is necessary to fully understand Earth’s atmospheric electricity. Because atmospheric ions are too small to be influenced by gravity, the gravitational settling of aerosol particle in fair weather has not been considered as a driving force in the GEC model. However, the attachment of these particles to other coarse particles can cause them to move in gravity’s direction. In this study, the influence of the gravitational settling of various bioaerosol particles with electrostatic force on the GEC is calculated. The results show the importance of considering bioaerosol particles in the GEC model, and that pollen grains can carry the order of 0.1% of ions and electrons carried by atmospheric ions due to their weight and charging efficiencies. Also, the reduction in atmospheric conductivity in the presence of bioaerosol particles was calculated. Bioaerosol particles can reduce atmospheric conductivity by an order of 0.01% due to pollen and by an order of 0.1% due to microbes. Full article
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10 pages, 1468 KB  
Article
Optimizing Molecular Tools for Bioaerosol Monitoring: A Case Study of Staphylococcus aureus in a Crowded Workplace
by Merita Xhetani, Brikena Parllaku, Fjoralda Bakiri, Arta Lugaj, Etleva Hamzaraj, Mirela Lika, Antea Metaliaj, Vera Beca and Bationa Bennewitz
Aerobiology 2026, 4(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerobiology4010004 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 806
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common opportunistic pathogen found in various environments, with the potential for rapid spread, especially in densely populated indoor settings. Integrating traditional microbiological monitoring with molecular techniques is critical for the timely detection and control of such pathogens. The aim [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus aureus is a common opportunistic pathogen found in various environments, with the potential for rapid spread, especially in densely populated indoor settings. Integrating traditional microbiological monitoring with molecular techniques is critical for the timely detection and control of such pathogens. The aim of this study was (1) to monitor the presence and spread of S. aureus in a crowded occupational environment and (2) to optimize a PCR protocol with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) for precise identification and early detection of this microorganism and its antibiotic resistance genes. Sampling was conducted in two different places: a call center and a healthcare facility room. All samples were collected from indoor areas at two different time points (T0 and T1) in May 2025 (mean temperature: 22.5 °C; humidity: 59.5%). Microbiological techniques and molecular analysis using PCR-SSP were employed to confirm the presence of S. aureus and detect antibiotic resistance genes such as mecA. A total CFU (colony-forming unit) count of 587 was recorded at the dental clinic corridor, and a total CFU count of 2008 was recorded at the call center corridor. PCR-SSP successfully confirmed the identity of S. aureus with an amplicon size 267 bp and enabled the detection of antibiotic resistance markers, validating its use as a complementary method to traditional microbiological techniques. This study highlights the importance of combining environmental monitoring with molecular biology tools to enhance the early detection and accurate identification of microbial pathogens such as S. aureus and provide an insight for our future direction of producing biosensors for digital air monitoring in crowded workplaces. Full article
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