Annual variation of fungal spores in atmosphere of Porto: 2003

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Oliveira, M (Author) Other; Ribeiro, H (Author) Other; Abreu, I (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine

Vol. 12

Pages: 309-315

ISSN: 1232-1966

Publisher: Institute of Agricultural Medicine

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 66 Citations

Scopus - 74 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-55N

Abstract (EN): The seasonal distribution of fungal spore concentration in the city of Porto, Portugal, was continuously studied, from I January to 31 December 2003, using a 7-day volumetric Burkard trap. In Portugal, aerobiological studies are scarce. and to our knowledge there are no published data on the atmospheric concentration of fungal spores. The aim of this work therefore is to initiate the aeromycological studies in Porto. The total airborne spore concentration fluctuated between 2 and 2.198 spores/m(3) per day with an daily mean of 403 spores/m(3). The highest airborne spore concentration was found during the summer and the early autumn, while the lowest concentration was registered during the winter. A range of allergenic and phytopathogenic fungal spores was present in the atmosphere of Porto throughout the entire year, although in different concentrations. Among the 22 fungal spore types identified Cladosporium (74.5%) Ganoderma (11.7%), Aspergillaceae (2.9%). Ustilago (2.5%), Coprinus (1.5%). Alternaria (1.3%) and Bottytis (1.3%) were the most frequent. Seasonally, spore levels of Cladosporium and Alternaria peaked in the autumn and winter, Ganoderma peaked toward autumn, whilst spore levels of the basidiomycete Coprinus fluctuated throughout the year. The total spore concentration was negatively correlated with wind speed and positively correlated with temperature and relative humidity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7