Concentrations and dynamics of fungal spore populations in the air of Zarqa, Jordan, using the volumetric method

Abstract

This study was initiated to investigate seasonal and intradiurnal variations in concentrations of airborne fungal spores of the Zarqa area in Jordan based on daily spore trapping. A total of 76 396 fungal spores belonging to 41 genera of fungi were identified. The maximum trapped fungus was Cladosporium (49.39%) followed by Puccinia uredospores (11.14%), Alternaria (7.70%), Ustilago (7.62%) and Drechslera (4.03%). The remainder (20.12%) was attributed to 36 genera of fungi. April was the month with the highest mean daily concentration (27.82 spores/m3), while January was the lowest. Two peaks were recorded, one in April (139.58 spores/m3) and another in June (70.42 spores/m3). Total daily spore counts showed significant positive correlations with maximum and mean temperature and a significant negative correlation with relative humidity. The monthly mean and the total annual counts of fungal spores were both significantly favoured the period 20.00–04.00. It was suggested that results of spore trapping and settle plate exposures (a previous study) can be complementary but not comparable except in the fact that Cladosporium was the most common fungi in both. Most of the recorded fungi have been reported as allergenic or pathogenic for humans, animals and plants, therefore further research on ecological, economical and medical aspects should be encouraged.