Abstract
A Burkard spore trap was used to monitor daily fungal spore counts in the atmosphere of Melbourne (Australia) between October 1991 and December 1994. Annual total spore counts varied widely (range 345 770 in 1994 to 1 106 037 in 1992), of which approximately half were identified asCladosporium sp. and only about 1%Alternaria sp. Highest daily total spore counts were recorded late-summer through to mid-winter, probably corresponding to senescence of annual grasses and leaf fall. Spore counts were negatively correlated with rainfall (P<0.05), significantly correlated with average temperature (P<0.001), and showed a highly significant linear relationship with cumulative temperature throughout the year.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abramson M, Pearson L, Kutin J, Czarny D, Dziukas L, Bowes G. Allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, and asthma. J Asthma 1994;31:367–74.
Antepara I, Fernandez JC, Gamboa P, Jauregui I, Miguel F. Pollen allergy in the Bilbao area (European Atlantic seaboard climate): pollination forecasting methods. Clin Exp Allergy 1995;25:133–40.
Beaumont F, Kauffman HF, van der Mark TH, Sluiter HJ, de Vries K. Volumetric aerobiological survey of conidial fungi in North-East Netherlands. Allergy 1985;40:173–80.
Derrick E. Airborne pollen and spores in Melbourne. Aust J Botany 1965;14:49–66.
Derrick E, McLennan EI. Fungus spores found in the air in Melbourne. Acta Allergol 1963;18:26.
Goretti G, Frenguelli G, Feranti F, Bricche F, Romano B. Fungal spore presence in the atmosphere of Perugia (Italy): preliminary data. Ann Della Facolti Di Agraria Università degli Studi di Perugia 1991;43:289–302.
Hasnain SM. Influence of meteorological factors on the airspora. Grana 1993;32:184–8.
Hawke PR, Meadows ME. Winter airspora spectra and meteorological conditions in Cape Town. South Africa Grana 1989;28:187–92.
Hjelmroos M. Relationship between airborne fungal spore presence and weather variables. Grana 1993;32:40–7.
Kapyla M, Penttinen A. An evaluation of the microscopical counting methods of the tape in Hirst-Burkard pollen and spore trap. Grana 1981;20:131–41.
Madelin TM, Johnson HE. Fungal and actinomycete spore aerosols measured at different humidities with an aerodynamic particle sizer. J Appl Bacteriol 1992;72:400–9.
Nishihara T, Miyaji T, Nasu M, Takubo Y, Kondo M. Fungal flora in rainwater. Biomed Environ Sci 1989;2:376–84.
Nussbaum F. Variation in the airborne fungal spore population of the Tuscarawas Valley II. A comparison of arboreal and nonarboreal microenvironments. Mycopathologia 1991;116:181–98.
Ong EK, Singh MB, Knox RB. Seasonal distribution of pollen in the atmosphere of Melbourne, an airborne pollen calendar. Aerobiologia 1995;11:51–5.
Satheesh RP, Rao GR. Fungal spore concentrations in the air at Tiruchirapalli (India) 1987–1988. Aerobiologia 1994;10:71–5.
Shaheen I. Aeromycology of Amman area. Jordan Grana 1992;31:223–8.
Singh A, Gangal SV, Singh AB. Airborne fungi in the hospitals of metropolitan Delhi. Aerobiologia 1994;10:11–21.
Smart IJ, Knox RB. Aerobiology of grass pollen in the city atmosphere of Melbourne; quantitative analysis of seasonal and diurnal changes. Aust J Botany 1979;27:317–31.
Smith EG. (1984) Sampling and Identifying Allergenic Pollens and Molds. San Antonio, Texas, Blewstone Press.
Smith EG. (1986) Sampling and Identifying Allergenic Pollens and Molds. Volume II. San Antonio, Texas, Blewstone Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mitakakis, T., Ong, E.K., Stevens, A. et al. Incidence ofCladosporium, alternaria and total fungal spores in the atmosphere of melbourne (Australia) over three years. Aerobiologia 13, 83–90 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02694423
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02694423