Patagonia

A 1,500 km latitudinal transect from Patagonia to the Antarctic Peninsula, sampled across a documented atmospheric-river event (Feb 7–8, 2022). Air, soil, and rhizosphere 16S/ITS combined with ERA5, HYSPLIT, CHIMERE, and FEAST source-apportionment evidence show a phylogenetically broad, terrestrially-sourced Patagonian bioaerosol plume reaching Risopatrón Base — and a baseline of 56% Patagonia attribution in Antarctic-Peninsula air.

Beneath the spectacular waters of Patagonia’s Comau Fjord lives a hidden universe of microbes that regulate our climate, cycle nutrients, and bear the fingerprints of human activity. Here is what we found — and why it matters.