Comparisons of Fungal Spore Distributions Using Air Sampling at Worcester, England (2006-2010)

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 B 0.05) relationships between spore concentration
and weather parameters were mainly rs B 0.50. Potential
sources of spores at Worcester were likely to be
localised outside the city area.