Aeromonitoring of Alternaria spores in the air of Zaporizhzhia city

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the patterns of changes in the concentration of mold spores of the genus Alternaria in the air of Zaporizhzhia city. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the dynamics of Alternaria spore concentration in the atmospheric air of Zaporizhzhia city. The study was carried out at the Department of Medical Biology, Parasitology and Genetics of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University. Samples were taken annually from March 1 to October 31 by volumetric method using a Hirst-type trap. The device is yearly certified by the state metrological service with certificates. The samples were analyzed using a light microscope at ×400 magnification using the method of vertical transects. The results of the research were processed by applying the Statistica® for Windows 13.0 licensed software package. Results. The seasonal dynamics of fungal spores of the genus Alternaria in the atmospheric air of Zaporizhzhia was analyzed over several years: from 2015 to 2020. The beginning, end and duration of sporulation, maximum values were determined. Conclusions. Analyzing the average daily (for six years) indicators of the spore number in the air of Zaporizhzhia city, it can be concluded that their distribution is normal throughout the year, which corresponds to the intensity of spore formation, depending on changes in meteorological conditions, that is, an almost equally symmetric range from the optimum, which falls on the beginning of June and is associated with an increase in precipitation in this region. Thus, an average of 17 256 spores/m3 were determined over six years. The maximum number of spores was 680 spores/m3 (6.07). The average day fell on July 25, σ = 37.1. In general, sporulation lasted 119 days. Peak concentrations were recorded in summer and autumn.