Atmospheric aerosol particles of biological origin are a very diverse group of biological materials and structures, including microorganisms, dispersal units, fragments and excretions of biological organisms. In recent years, the impact of biological aerosol particles on atmospheric processes has been studied with increasing intensity, and a wealth of new information and insights has been gained. This review outlines the current knowledge on major categories of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP): bacteria and archaea, fungal spores and fragments, pollen, viruses, algae and cyanobacteria, biological crusts and lichens and others like plant or animal fragments and detritus. We give an overview of sampling methods and physical, chemical and biological techniques for PBAP analysis (cultivation, microscopy, DNA/RNA analysis, chemical tracers, optical and mass spectrometry, etc.). Moreover, we address and summarise the current understanding and open questions concerning the influence of PBAP on the atmosphere and climate, i.e. their optical properties and their ability to act as ice nuclei (IN) or cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). We suggest that the following research activities should be pursued in future studies of atmospheric biological aerosol particles: (1) develop efficient and reliable analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of PBAP; (2) apply advanced and standardised techniques to determine the abundance and diversity of PBAP and their seasonal variation at regional and global scales (atmospheric biogeography); (3) determine the emission rates, optical properties, IN and CCN activity of PBAP in field measurements and laboratory experiments; (4) use field and laboratory data to constrain numerical models of atmospheric transport, transformation and climate effects of PBAP. Keywords: primary biological atmospheric aerosol; climate; cloud condensation nuclei; biology; atmospheric ice nuclei (Published: 22 February 2012) Citation: Tellus B 2012, 64 , 15598, DOI: 10.3402/tellusb.v64i0.15598

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.3402/tellusb.v64i0.15598

Primary biological aerosol particles in the atmosphere: a review

Aspergillus and Penicillium are ubiquitous fungi, usually found as saprophytes. Only a few species are considered to be important in human or animal disease. However, many otherwise benign species are supreme opportunists and have been found increasingly as invaders of the immuno-compromised. This paper first describes with a broad brush modern approaches to the classification of these genera, the reasons behind some name changes and the effective forces now acting to stabilize names. Recent taxonomic schemes are described. The taxonomy of pathogenic Aspergillus and Penicillium species is outlined, the subgenera where pathogens occur identified, and the question of why particular species are pathogens addressed. The significance of Aspergillus and Penicillium in mammalian disease is heightened by their production of potent mycotoxins. The importance of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins as a cause of human death in parts of Africa and Asia and the impact of ochratoxins, produced by Penicillium verrucosum, on human and animal health in Europe will be emphasized. Possible mycotoxin ingestion from spores poses a further health threat.

The current role of Aspergillus and Penicillium in human and animal health

Atmospheric pollution by airborne microorganisms in the city of Marseilles

Although fungal spores are an ever-present component of the atmosphere throughout the year, their concentration oscillates widely. This work aims to establish correlations between fungal spore concentrations in Porto and Amares and meteorological data. The seasonal distribution of fungal spores was studied continuously (2005-2007) using volumetric spore traps. To determine the effect of meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) on spore concentration, the Spearman rank correlation test was used. In both locations, the most abundant fungal spores were Cladosporium, Agaricus, Agrocybe, Alternaria and Aspergillus/Penicillium, the highest concentrations being found during summer and autumn. In the present study, with the exception of Coprinus and Pleospora, spore concentrations were higher in the rural area than in the urban location. Among the selected spore types, spring-autumn spores (Coprinus, Didymella, Leptosphaeria and Pleospora) exhibited negative correlations with temperature and positive correlations both with relative humidity and rainfall level. On the contrary, late spring-early summer (Smuts) and summer spores (Alternaria, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Ganoderma, Stemphylium and Ustilago) exhibited positive correlations with temperature and negative correlations both with relative humidity and rainfall level. Rust, a frequent spore type during summer, had a positive correlation with temperature. Aspergillus/Penicillium, showed no correlation with the meteorological factors analysed. This knowledge can be useful for agriculture, allowing more efficient and reliable application of pesticides, and for human health, by improving the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory allergic disease.

The effects of meteorological factors on airborne fungal spore concentration in two areas differing in urbanisation level

The fungal concentration and flora in indoor and outdoor air in Yokohama, Japan were analyzed with a Reuter centrifugal air sampler and dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18), and compared with the levels assessed with potato dextrose agar (PDA) The number of fungal colony-forming units (CFU) in outdoor air was < 13-2750/m3; Cladosporium spp predominated, followed by Alternaria spp and Penicillium spp The fungal concentration in outdoor air peaked in September The concentrations of fungi in outdoor air (n = 288) were significantly correlated with the maximum temperature of the day, minimum temperature of the day, average temperature of the day, average velocity of wind of the day, average temperature of the month, average relative humidity of the month and precipitation of the month In indoor air, the fungal CFU was < 13-3750/m3 Cladosporium spp predominated, followed by the xerophilic fungi such as the Aspergillus restrictus group, Wallemia sebi, the A glaucus group, and Penicillium spp The fungal concentration in indoor air peaked in October The concentrations of fungi in indoor air (n = 288) were significantly correlated with the indoor temperature, indoor relative humidity and the outdoor climatic factors mentioned above, except for the average velocity of wind of the day

Airborne fungal colony-forming units in outdoor and indoor environments in Yokohama, Japan.

Air was sampled simultaneously at three localities in Mexico City differing in urbanization index and air pollution level on 22 days during a period covering both dry and rainy seasons. An Andersen two-stage microbial sampler was used for 15 min at 28 liters min-1 to isolate culturable fungi on malt extract agar. After exposure, plates were incubated at 25 degrees C for 48 to 72 h before colonies were counted and identified to give concentrations of total fungal spores and of Penicillium spp., expressed as CFU per cubic meter of air. Total fungi numbered 91 to 602 CFU m-3 in Tlalpan Borough (southern area), 40 to 264 CFU m-3 in Cuauhtemoc Borough (downtown), and 26 to 495 CFU m-3 in Gustavo A. Madero Borough (northern area). Although Penicillium spp. were the second most frequently isolated fungal genus, concentrations were small, with a maximum of only 133 CFU m-3. Twice as many colonies were isolated in the southern area, with an urbanization index of 0.25 (arithmetic mean, 41 CFU m-3), as at other sampling stations with greater urbanization indices (arithmetic means, 19 and 20 CFU m-3). In the downtown area, with an urbanization index of 1.0, Penicillium spp. were more numerous than any other genus and formed 25% of the total fungal count compared with 14 and 17% in the other areas. Concentrations of airborne Penicillium spp. did not differ significantly between rainy and dry seasons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

https://aem.asm.org/content/aem/59/8/2648.full.pdf

J Lacey

Papers

Abundance of airborne Penicillium CFU in relation to urbanization in Mexico City.