Variation Of Spore Concentrations Research Articles

Intradiurnal variation of predominant airborne fungal spore biopollutants in the Central European urban environment.

Fungal spores are an important cause of allergic respiratory diseases worldwide. However, little is known about the intradiurnal pattern of spore concentrations of different fungal spore types in the air of the urban area. In this study, we evaluated bihourly variation in spore concentration of eight predominant fungal spore types in the atmosphere of Bratislava city (Agrocybe, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Coprinus, Exosporium, Epicoccum, Ganoderma, Leptosphaeria) with the aim to understand the relationships between the spore concentrations against associated environmental variables. Spore samples were collected using a Hirst-type volumetric aerospore trap from January to December 2016. Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum and Exosporium peaked during the daytime period between 10:00 and 16:00, while for Agrocybe, Ganoderma, Coprinus and Leptosphaeria, the nighttime peaks (20:00 and 04:00) were observed. Effect of a complex of environmental variables on bihourly concentrations of selected airborne fungal spore taxa was evaluated through multiple regression analysis. Air temperature, wind speed, sunshine duration and precipitation were positively associated with daytime spore types, while the association with nighttime spores was negative. In contrast, relative air humidity influenced negatively Exosporium daytime spore type but positively the Leptosphaeria nighttime spore type. Moreover, a circadian cycle of light and darkness was considered as an important predictor of nighttime spore levels. Among the atmospheric pollutants, PM10 was positively associated with all analysed daytime spores, while except for Leptosphaeria, O3 was negatively associated with nighttime spore types. NO2 and PM10 had mixed effects on nighttime spore levels. In general, air temperature, PM10 and wind speed were environmental parameters with great influence on airborne fungal spore concentration, being present in eight, seven and four regression models, respectively. Constructed regression models which the best explained variation in fungal spore concentrations were those for Ganoderma (R2 = 0.38) and Alternaria (R2 = 0.31).

The variation in spore concentrations of selected fungal taxa associated with weather conditions in Szczecin, Poland, 2004–2006

The investigation of airborne fungal spore concentrations was carried out in Szczecin, Poland between 2004 and 2006. The objective of the studies was to determine a seasonal variation in concentrations of selected fungal spore types due to meteorological parameters. The presence of spores of ten taxa: Cladosporium, Ganoderma, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Didymella, Torula, Dreschlera‐type, Polythrincium, Stemphylium and Pithomyces was recorded in Szczecin using a volumetric method (Hirst type). Fungal spores were present in the air in large numbers in summer. The highest concentrations were noted in June, July and August. The peak period was recorded in August for most of the studied spore types: Ganoderma, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Dreschlera‐type, Polythrincium and Stemphylium. Cladosporium and Didymella spores reached their highest concentrations in July while concentrations of Torula were highest in May and Pithomyces in September. Multiple regression analysis was performed for three fungal seasons: 2004, 2005, and 2006. Spore concentrations were positively correlated with minimum temperature for seven spore types in 2004, for five spore types in 2005, and for eight spore types in 2006 (significance level of α = 0.05). Some spore types are also significantly correlation among their concentrations, pressure, relative humidity and rain. Minimum temperature appeared to be the most influential factor for most spore types.

Significance of concentration variations of microbial aerosols within domestic dwellings

Fungus spore grows quickly and easier at high relative humidity and temperature in Taiwan, a subtropical country. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium are observed to be the predominant genera in this region. The variation of spore concentrations with time indoors and outdoors can be a problem of considerable difficulty for evaluating the relationship between fungus exposure and health effects. In this investigation, the hourly and daily concentration variations of the predominant fungus genus were evaluated in three residential environments in the Taipei area. It was demonstrated that hourly and daily concentration variations of indoor an outdoor fungi were remarkable and the patterns of concentration variations varied from dwelling to dwelling. In addition, the coefficients of variation for sequential and parallel duplicates of Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and yeast varied from 20% to 100%, which were larger than those observed from the commonly used methods for sampling dust and chemicals. Moreover, no significant differences for the samples taken in the morning and afternoon were observed.

Vertical variation of airspora concentrations in the atmosphere

Abstract Experiments were conducted in 1977 and 1978 on vertical variation of spore concentrations in the atmosphere at 1.5, 9, and 30 m heights with volumetric samplers, which were located at the Rocky Ford Experimental Farm, located 3.2 km north of Manhattan, Kansas city limits (USA). This farm contained turf and grain crop research plots, with general field crops and tallgrass prairie between site and city limits. Spore counts were significantly higher at the 1.5 m height than at either other height when adequate moisture supported local spore production. Spore counts from the 9 and 30 m heights never differed significantly from each other. When moisture was insufficient to sustain spore production locally, all spore forms were uniformly distributed vertically in the atmosphere to the heights studied. In such cases, the major part of the airspora consisted of spores transported in the atmosphere from remote sources.