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Abstract
Episodic plumes of Saharan dust travel across the Atlantic to be deposited in thesurface waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Dust aerosols have been shown to serve as a
significant source of nutrients that can potentially facilitate the development of microbial
blooms (including Vibrio) in offshore environments. However, the potential effect
in more dynamic inland coastal waters is not known. This study aimed to quantify Vibrio
population dynamics in response to dust events in regions where environmental
parameters are more variable, and human risk of exposure is higher. Samples were
collected during a Saharan dust event in summer 2022. During dust days, total Vibrio
concentrations increased significantly but varied by site and the interacting effects of
salinity and nutrient levels. This study provides an increased understanding of the
conditions that can elicit blooms of Vibrio in coastal and inland regions where risk of
human exposure is more likely.