Diurnal Variation in Concentration of Culturable Bacterial and Fungal Bioaerosols in Winter to Spring Season

Abstract

Diurnal variations in the concentrations of culturable fungal and bacterial bioaerosols were measured during winter and spring. Significant variations in concentrations of bacterial bioaerosols were observed during the day in this measurement campaign. The bacterial bioaerosol concentration exhibited two peaks during the morning and evening periods in the winter season. Diurnal variation in bacterial bioaerosols was greater in spring than that in winter. However, fungal bioaerosol concentrations were not affected by diurnal and seasonal changes. Environmental properties such as temperature, relative humidity, and ultraviolet irradiation intensity were measured, and their relationship with bioaerosol concentrations was analyzed. The surrounding temperature was suspected as a significant factor. This diurnal variation in culturable bioaerosols can explain various public health phenomena. Variations in the concentrations of non-biological aerosol particles were also analyzed.

Keywords

• bioaerosol
• diurnal variation
• seasonal change
• airborne bacteria
• airborne fungi