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Comparisons of fungal spore distributions using air sampling at Worcester, England (2006–2010)

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Abstract

This study determined annual and monthly fluctuations in concentration of 20 fungal genera. The selection of taxa was made based upon their high frequency in the air as well as their well-known allergenic properties. Air samples were collected using a spore trap of Hirst design at an urban site where the trap continuously worked throughout a 5-year survey. Weather data were acquired from a meteorological station co-located with the air sampler. Influence of several meteorological parameters was then examined to reveal species–environment interactions and the potential location of fungal spore sources within the urban area. The maximum monthly sum of mean daily spore concentration varied between genera, and the earliest peaks were recorded for Pleospora sp. in April and Ustilago sp. in June. However, the majority of investigated spore types occurred in the greatest concentrations between August and September. Out of the 20 studied taxa, the most dominant genus was Cladosporium sp., which exceeded an allergenic threshold of 3000 s m−3 40 times during very rainy years and twice as much during dry years. A Spearman’s rank test showed that statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) relationships between spore concentration and weather parameters were mainly r s  ≤ 0.50. Potential sources of spores at Worcester were likely to be localised outside the city area.

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Acknowledgments

This study was jointly funded by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit and Graduate Research School at the University of Worcester and conducted within a framework of the doctoral studies of the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK

    Magdalena Sadyś, Beverley Adams-Groom, Robert J. Herbert & Roy Kennedy

  2. Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, UK

    Magdalena Sadyś

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  1. Magdalena Sadyś
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  2. Beverley Adams-Groom
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  3. Robert J. Herbert
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  4. Roy Kennedy
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Correspondence to Magdalena Sadyś.

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Sadyś, M., Adams-Groom, B., Herbert, R.J. et al. Comparisons of fungal spore distributions using air sampling at Worcester, England (2006–2010). Aerobiologia 32, 619–634 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-016-9436-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-016-9436-4

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