Project 04: Identification of airborne bacteria, airborne microplastic and antibiotic resistance genes at Gohagoda dumping site, Kandy, Sri Lanka

This project focuses on identifying and characterizing airborne bacteria, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the atmosphere surrounding the Gohagoda municipal dumping site in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It aims to evaluate how open waste disposal contributes to the emission and spread of microplastic particles and airborne microorganisms, and how these may act as carriers for antibiotic resistance. Air samples are collected using filtration-based air samplers and analyzed for microplastic presence through Raman spectroscopic techniques, while bacterial isolates are identified using microbiological and molecular methods. Metagenomics and real-time PCR analyses are conducted to detect ARGs, providing insights into the environmental and public health risks linked to airborne transmission.