A fungal spore calendar for the atmosphere of Szczecin, Poland

Abstract

A calendar of fungal spore seasons for Szczecin during 2013 was established using a 7-day volumetric Lanzoni trap. Thirty-five spore taxa were identified. The dominant spore types detected were Cladosporium (66%), Didymella (29%), Alternaria (1.67%), and Leptosphaeria type (1.21%). The spores were present throughout the study year. However, there was a wide daily fluctuation in the concentration values with a tendency towards an increase during the summer months. Seasonally, the spore levels of Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Leptosphaeria type peaked in summer (June–September), while those of Didymella mainly in July. Most of the other spore types had the highest concentrations in summer but occurred in the air from spring to late fall.

Keywords

• aerobiology
• air monitoring
• fungi
• spore calendar