Investigation of airborne fungi at different altitudes in Shenzhen University

doi:10.4236/ns.2010.25063

Paper Menu >>

Journal Menu >>

Vol.2, No.5, 506-514(2010) Natural Science

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ns.2010.25063

Investigation of airborne fungi at different altitudes in

Shenzhen University

Li Li, Chao Lei, Zhi-Gang Liu*

College of Life Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Received 15 December 2009; revised 24 February 2010; accepted 18 March 2010.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To investigate the richness of species or

genera of airborne fungi, the amount of airborne

fungi, and its seasonal variation at different al-

titudes in Shenzhen University. The effect of

meteorological factors on airborne fungi was

also analyzed. Methods: Slide-exposure me-

thod and open-plate method were used. Re-

sults: There were 27 genera or species of fun-

gus spores identified. Among the identified

fungal genus, Cladosporium, Ustilago, Alter-

naria, Helminthsporium and Uredinales were

more prevalent. There were 18 genera of fungi

colonies identified. Among which Penicillium,

non-sporulating fungi, Aspergillus, Saccharo-

myces and Cladosporium were more common.

The airborne fungal spores were present in the

atmosphere of Shenzhen University all year

round. The peaks of airborne spores appeared

during April and October, while the lowest

numbers were observed during January, July

and December from March 2005-Febrary 2006.

The highest volumes of fungi colonies were

observed during April, October and September,

while the lowest numbers were detected during

in January, July and December or May from

March 2005-Febrary 2006. The meteorological

factors had no relationship between the total

monthly spore count at 10 and 30 meter height.

At 70 meter, the total spores count was nega-

tively correlated with solar radiation. Conclu-

sions: Most of the fungi spores decreased along

with the increase of altitudes.

Keywords: Airborne Fungi; Open-Plate Method;

Slide-Exposure Method

1. INTRODUCTION

Airborne fungi are one of the common allergens that

induce respiratory hypersensitivity reaction [1-3]. The

major allergic symptoms include asthma, rhinitis, bron-

chopulmonary mycoses and hypersensitive pneumonitis

[4]. Airborne fungi also act as an indicator for the at-

mospheric bio-pollution. The presence of fungal pro-

pagules, volatiles and mycotoxins in the air can pose a

health hazard in all segments of the population [5].

Fungi variety and concentration depends on various fac-

tors, including topography, time of day, meteorological

parameters, seasonal climatic variation and type of

vegetation [6-7]. Extensive investigations of airborne

fungi had been done in many parts of the world [8-15].

In China, such studies had been done in different prov-

inces [16-25].

But to our knowledge there are no published data on

the airborne fungi at different altitudes in one place.

Shenzhen city is located at 22°27'-22°52' N and 113°46'-

114°37' E. The weather in Shenzhen is associated with

high temperature and humidity throughout the year,

which suits for the reproduction of airborne fungi. As a

well developed city, Shenzen has a large number of tall

buildings and mansions providing both working and

living spaces. The aim of this work was to determine the

concentration of airborne fungi present at different alti-

tudes and the effect of seasonal variations, which will

provide useful information on the air quality of residen-

tial areas.

2. METHODS

2.1. Slide-Exposure Method

The slide-exposure method based on the protocol adap-

ted from Ye (1992) was used to determine the fungal

spores [26]. Briefly, the slides with vaseline for spore

sampling were set on the second floor (10 meter above

ground level), the seventh floor (30 meter above ground

level) and the sixtieth floor (70 meter above ground level)

of the technological building in Shenzhen University

(22°54′37'' N and 113°93′77'' E), respectively. Two

slides were collected daily from March, 2005 to Febru-

ary, 2006. The slides were stained by basic fuchsin solu-

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

507

tion. Fungal spores were enumerated and identified by

using a light microscope (OLYMPUS BH-2, Japan). The

average spore counts of the two samples in each altitude

were taken.

2.2. Open-Plate Method

The open-plate method was adapted based on Ye (1992)

to determine the fungal colonies [26]. Briefly, the plates

with Peptone Dextrose Agar, Potato Dextrose Agar and

Czapek Dox Agar respectively were set on the same

places as described above once during each month (total

12 times in one year). Three plates were opened for a

period of 5 min at various altitudes, and then were incu-

bated at 28℃ ± 1 for up to 5 days. The colonies were ℃

stained by lactic acid methylene blue solution and iden-

tified by colony and microscopic morphology. Colony

counts were then converted to the colony forming

units/m3, CFU/m3 = 5000N/A t (N: colony count; A:

square of plate; t: exposure time) [27]. The total colony

forming units of three plates at each altitude were added

to obtain the total colony forming units at each altitude.

2.3. Statistical Analysis

The relationship between the monthly total spores count

at various altitudes, the most common fungi and the

monthly meteorological factors (average temperature:

X1; average relative humidity: X2; average atmospheric

pressure: X3; average wind speed: X4; rainfall: X5 and

solar radiation: X6) were established respectively by

means of stepwise multiple regression method (The data

were analyzed using SPSS Version 12.0). The value of

p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The

meteorlogical data were obtained from Shenzhen me-

teorlogical administration (Table 1).

3. RESULTS

3.1. Airborne Fungal Spore Count at Three

Different Altitudes

During the entire year, there were 2190 slides collected

at three different altitudes. The total fungal spore counts

at 10, 30 and 70 meters height were 4,102, 3,540 and

2,929.5 respectively. There were 27 genera or species

identified belonging to the subphylum Zygomycotina

family Mucoraceae: Rhizopus (0.17%); subphylum As-

comycotina family Sphaeriaceae: Chaetomium (0.39%);

subphylum Basidiomycotina family Ustilaginaceae: Usti-

lago (13.04%), Uredinales (9.54%); subphylum Deutero-

mycotina family Moniliaceae: Cladosporium (16.45%),

Aspergillus (0.59%), Geotrichum (0.52%), Botrytis (0.31%),

Trichothecium (0.09%), family Dematiaceae: Alternaria

(11.41%), Helminthosporium (11.37%), Curvularia

(8.41%), Stachybotrys (5.38%), Stemphylium (4.58%),

Nigrospora (1.93%), Heterosporium (1.02%), Acrothe-

cium sp. (0.53%), Papularia (0.31%), Clavispora (0.22%),

Cercospora sp. (0.09%), Wardomyces (0.05%), family

Tuborculariaceae: Fusarium (0.85%), Epicoccum (0.48%),

family Sphaeropsidaceae: Hendersonia sp. (4.18%), As-

cochyta sp. (4.04%), Diplodia sp. (3.65%), Sphaeropsis

sp. (0.20%) and unidentified spores (0.20%) (Tables

2-4).

At three different altitudes, the majority of spores

were Cladosporium, Ustilago, Alternaria, Helmintho-

sporium and Uredinales.

3.2. Fungal Colony Forming Units at Three

Different Altitudes

During the entire year, the total of 53,473, 50,962 and

49,543 colony forming units at 10, 30 and 70 meters,

respectively were collected, enumerated and then char-

acterized into 18 genera or species. The common fungi

belonged to the subphylum Zygomycotina family Mu-

coraceae: Muco r (0.31%), Rhizopus (0.31%); subphylum

Ascomycotina family Sphaeriaceae: Chaetomiu m (0.51%),

family Saccharomyetaceae: Saccharomyces (12.67%);

subphylum Deuteromycotina family Moniliaceae: Peni-

cillium (24.11%), Aspergillus (15.63%), Cladosporium

(11.85%), Trichothecium (0.71%), Trichoderma (0.72%),

Botrytis (0.51%), Geotrichum (0.31%), family Dema-

tiaceae: Alternaria (5.11%), Curvularia (5.00%), Hel-

minthosporium (1.22%), Nigrospora (0.51%), Stachy-

botrys (0.51%), family Tuborculariaceae: Fusarium

(0.71%), family Sphaeropsidaceae: Phoma sp. (0.61%),

non-sporulating fungi (18.28%) and unidentified colony

(0.41%) (Tables 5-7).

Table 1. Averages of meteorological measurements: temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), atmospheric pressure (P), wind speed

(WS), rainfall (R), and solar radiation (SR) in Shenzhen from March 2005-Febrary 2006.

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

T (ºC) 17.2 23.1 27.2 27.8 29.4 28.5 28.8 26.2 22.9 16.7 16.2 17.8

RH (%) 71 74 76 78 71 79 72 64 67 50 69 72

P (hPa) 1016.6 1011.9 1005.6 1002.41004.31002.81007.21012.81014.4 1019.2 1016.41017.6

WS (m/sec) 2.1 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.2 2.7 2.6 2.3

R (mm) 48.3 42.9 379.2 469.9 326.6 587.3 231.8 21.3 14.0 9.0 20.6 48.0

SR (h) 759 881 1194 756 2264 1639 1495 1946 1798 1549 1202 912

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

508

Table 2. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and slide fungal spores count at 10 meter during 12 months.

Genera month

or species Jan Feb Mar AprMayJunJulAugSepOct Nov Dec Total spores

Rhizopus 0 0 0 2 0 0 2.50 0 0 0 0 4.5

Chaetomium 0 2 1 0 2.5 0 2 4.5 1.5 1.5 1 4 20

Ustilago 23.5 67.5 80.5 37.5 56.5 22.51531 81 57.523.5 42.5 538.5

Uredinales 40.5 36 40 29 26.530.53230.530 32.547.5 15.5 390.5

Cladosporium 47 21.5 19 90.5103 52 32.552.515.597.572.5 22 625.5

Aspergillus 2.5 3 0 3 1 1 3 0 2 3.5 2.5 0 21.5

Geotrichum 6.5 0 0 2 0 0 2.50 3 0 2 1.5 17.5

Botrytis 0 2 1.5 0 3 2 0 1.5 3.5 0 0 5.5 19

Trichothecium 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4

Alternaria 42 26.5 33.5 81 46.537 34.552 40 37 30 25.5 485.5

Helminthosporium 24 40.5 68 22.5 42 48 24.530 34 58 31.5 34 457

Curvularia 24 34 24.5 36.531.529 1515.530.544 39.5 23 347

Stachybotrys 18 20 13 33 15 14.59.520 20.524.518 23.5 229.5

Stemphylium 15 15.5 15 18.516 14.51315.523.517.521.5 20 205.5

Nigrospora 6.5 10.5 15 6.5 4 5.5 105 3.5 7.5 6 6.5 86.5

Heterosporium 5.5 0 1.5 6 2 2 1.50 5.5 5.5 0 0 29.5

Acrothecium sp. 2 0 2 3 3 3 2.53 4.5 0.5 1 4.5 29

Papularia 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 0 0 3.5 5 4.5 0 14.5

Clavispora 1 0.5 1 0 0.5 0 0 1 0.5 0 0 0 4.5

Cercospora sp. 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.5 0 1 4.5

Wardomyces 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.5

Fusarium 4 1.5 1 2.5 1.5 2 0 0 2.5 2.5 2.5 0 20

Epicoccum 2 2.5 1 2.5 0 1.5 0 2 2.5 5.5 0 2.5 22

Hendersonia sp. 15 16 27 18.515 9.5 1310.519.516.59 24.5 194

Ascochyta sp. 9 7.5 11 16.57.5 10.51515 17 15.519.5 23 167

Diplodia sp. 20 7.5 16 16.511.5 8 118 15.512 12 7 145

Sphaeropsis sp. 2.5 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1.5 10

Unidentified spores 2.5 0.5 1 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 1.5 8.5

Total spores 313 316 379.5 427.5388.5294.5242299359.5445.5344.5 292.5 4102

Table 3. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and slide fungal spores count at 30 meter during 12 months.

Genera month

or species Jan Feb Mar Apr MayJun Jul AugSep Oct Nov Dec Total spores

Rhizopus 0 0 1.5 2.5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 9

Chaetomium 0.5 1.5 2.5 0 1.5 0 1.5 2.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 1.5 14

Ustilago 26.5 33.5 59 47 26 22.516.525.568 62.524.5 32.5 444

Uredinales 34.5 30.5 31.5 32.5 15.524 26 23 23 40.531 22.5 335

Cladosporium 21.5 28.5 29.5 86 56.546 32.543 22.585.554 38.5 544

Aspergillus 1.5 2 2 2.5 2 3 0 2 3 1.5 0 2 21.5

Geotrichum 2 0 1 3 2 0 1.5 0 3.5 0 1 1.5 15.5

Botrytis 0 1.5 0.5 0 1.5 2.5 0 1 1 0 0 3 11

Trichothecium 0 0.5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3.5

Alternaria 37.5 23.5 21 56 40.528.531.542 23.534.524.5 29 392

Helminthosporium 16 32 62 45.5 36.5 43 14 27 27.544.524 24.5 397

Curvularia 20.5 24.5 32 36 33.536 17 17 23.538.534.5 16 329

Stachybotrys 12 17.5 18 18 20.516 12 17.515.525.519 7.5 199

Stemphylium 8 12.5 11 14 20.519.510 12 20.514 17 15 174

Nigrospora 8 7.5 10 10 3.5 4.5 7 4 1.5 9.5 4 8.5 78

Heterosporium 3.5 0.5 1.5 5.5 3.5 2.5 1 0 4.5 5.5 0.5 2 30.5

Acrothecium sp. 1 0 0 1.5 1.5 1 1.5 2.5 3.5 0 1.5 2 16

Papularia 0 1 0 0 1.5 2.5 0 0 2 3 2.5 0 12.5

Clavispora 1 1.5 0.5 1 0 0.5 0 0 1 1.5 1 1 9

Cercospora sp. 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Wardomyces 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Fusarium 2 2.5 2.5 4 2.5 4 1 0 4 4.5 1.5 0 28.5

Epicoccum 1 1 1 0 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 1 4.5 0 0 17

Hendersonia sp. 19 8.5 22 15.5 11 9 10 8 15 13.56 14.5 152

Ascochyta sp. 13 17.5 25.5 17 9 7.5 13 12 12 12 9.5 14.5 163

Diplodia sp. 13.5 14 21.5 12 7 6 6 10.510.512.59.5 5 128

Sphaeropsis sp. 0 0 2.5 0 2.5 0 0 0 1.5 0 0 2.5 9

Unidentified spores 1 1 0.5 0 1 1 0.5 0 0 0 0.5 2 7.5

Total spores 243.5 263 359.5 409.5302.5283.5205 253 288.5 415 266.5 250.5 3540

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

509

Table 4. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and slide fungal spores count at 70 meter during 12 months.

Genera month

or species Jan Feb Mar Apr MayJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Total

spores

Rhizopus 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 0 4.5

Chaetomium 0 2 0.5 1 2 0 0 0.5 0 0 0 1 7

Ustilago 18.5 46.5 30.5 44.5 23.5 32 21 30.5 74.5 26.5 31 16.5 395.5

Uredinales 13 19 40.5 43.5 19.5 14.5 20.515 12 19.5 35.5 30 282.5

Cladosporium 29.5 16.5 95.5 88.5 33 36 19.536 20.5 65 65 65 570

Aspergillus 2.5 0 1.5 3.5 3 1.5 0 2.5 2 1.5 0 1 19

Geotrichum 3.5 0 1.5 5 5 0 0.5 0 3 0 1 2 21.5

Botrytis 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Trichothecium 0 0 0 0 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.5

Alternaria 27 35 40.5 44.5 30 27 20 24 15.5 19.5 15 31 329

Helminthosporium 24.5 38 39 55 29.5 32.5 18.536 19 32 12 12 348

Curvularia 6 28.5 10 25 23 18.5 12.522 19.5 21 18.5 9 213.5

Stachybotrys 0 12 9.5 13.5 18.5 15.5 10 15 8.5 16.5 10.5 10.5 140

Stemphylium 4 6 8 9.5 12.5 10.5 6 7 12.5 9 10.5 9 104.5

Nigrospora 3 4.5 9 3.5 2 2 6 2 0.5 1.5 2 3.5 39.5

Heterosporium 8.5 1.5 2.5 2 6.5 5 0 1.5 7.5 6.5 2.5 4 48

Acrothecium sp. 1 0 1 1 1.5 0 0.5 1 2 2 0.5 1 11.5

Papularia 0 2 0 0 1 1.5 0 0 1.5 0 0 0 6

Clavispora 4 1 1.5 0.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 10

Cercospora sp. 0 0 3.5 0 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4

Wardomyces 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.5 0 0 0 2.5

Fusarium 6 3.5 2 3 2.5 4.5 2.5 2.5 3 3.5 3.5 5 41.5

Epicoccum 0 2 2.5 0 0 1.5 1.5 1.5 0 0 3 0 12

Hendersonia sp. 13 6 11 8 7.5 7 7 5 10 8.5 4 8.5 95.5

Ascochyta sp. 5.5 7 13 8 16 5.5 8 9.5 5.5 8.5 6 5 97.5

Diplodia sp. 8 18.5 12.5 9.5 8.5 11 6.5 11.5 7.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 113

Sphaeropsis sp. 0 0 1.5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2.5

Unidentified spores 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.5 5.5

Total spores 177.5 251.5 338.5 373 249.5 229 163.5223 226 247.5 228.5 222 2929.5

Table 5. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and colony forming count at 10 meter during 12 months.

Genera month

or species

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Total

colony

Mucor 0 157 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 314

Rhizopus 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Chaetomium 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 157 0 0 0 314

Saccharomyces 157 472 786 944 472 629 157 472 315 315 472 472 5663

Penicillium 157 944 1258 2674472 786 315 315 22021887 1415 472 12897

Aspergillus 315 472 315 2045315 1573315 315 11011887 472 157 9282

Cladosporium 786 1258 472 315 472 315 315 472 629 315 315 629 6293

Trichothecium 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 314

Trichoderma 0 315 0 0 315 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 630

Botrytis 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 314

Geotrichum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 315 0 0 0 472

Alternaria 0 0 629 157 157 0 0 315 315 157 157 0 1887

Curvularia 0 0 315 0 157 0 0 0 157 629 0 157 1415

Helminthosporium 0 157 157 0 0 315 0 157 0 0 157 0 943

Nigrospora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 157

Stachybotrys 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 314

Fusarium 0 157 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 471

Phoma sp. 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 314

Non-sporulating

fungi 0 629 629 2045 629 1101157 944 18871415 786 786 11008

Unidentified fungi 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 314

Total colony 1572 4718 5189 833731464876125934617392 6919 3931 267353473

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

510

Table 6. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and colony forming count at 30 meter during 12 months.

Genera month

or species

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Total

colony

Mucor 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Rhizopus 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Chaetomium 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Saccharomyces 157 629 472 1101629 315 629 315 315 315 472 315 5664

Penicillium 315 1101 1573 2045629 629 472 629 20452359 1101 472 13370

Aspergillus 472 472 1573 1730315 315 629 472 629 629 315 315 7866

Cladosporium 472 472 315 472 315 11010 629 315 315 157 157 4720

Trichothecium 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 315 0 0 472

Trichoderma 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Botrytis 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Geotrichum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Alternaria 0 315 0 157 0 472 0 157 944 315 157 157 2674

Curvularia 0 157 315 0 0 157 0 629 315 786 472 472 3303

Helminthosporium 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 157 0 0 471

Nigrospora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 315 0 0 0 315

Stachybotrys 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Fusarium 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Phoma sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 157 0 0 314

Non-sporulating fungi 472 315 1258 2516315 629 0 786 14151730 472 629 10537

Unidentified fungi 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Total colony 1888 4089 5663 802123604246188736176450 7078 3146 251750962

Table 7. The identified airborne fungi genera or species and colony forming count at 70 meter during 12 months.

Genera month

or species

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Total

colony

Mucor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rhizopus 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157

Chaetomium 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 314

Saccharomyces 472 1258 786 786 315 629 315 786 786 944 472 629 8178

Penicillium 472 315 1730 2045944 944 472 472 629 1415 944 472 10854

Aspergillus 472 315 472 1258315 786 472 472 786 944 629 0 6921

Cladosporium 786 472 1101 629 472 629 315 472 786 472 629 472 7235

Trichothecium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 157 0 0 314

Trichoderma 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 314

Botrytis 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 314

Geotrichum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Alternaria 0 472 472 472 157 315 0 472 315 157 157 315 3304

Curvularia 0 0 0 157 157 472 0 157 786 944 0 315 2988

Helminthosporium 0 0 0 157 157 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 471

Nigrospora 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 315 0 0 0 315

Stachybotrys 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 0 0 157 0 314

Fusarium 0 157 315 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 472

Phoma sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 157 314

Non-sporulating fungi 0 315 629 1573786 786 472 315 315 629 315 472 6607

Unidentified fungi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157 0 0 157

Total colony 2202 3618 5505 7234330348752046314650325976 3774 283249543

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

511

3.3. Effect of Seasonal Variations on the

Total Airborne Fungi in One Year

The airborne fungal spores were present in the air

around Shenzhen University throughout the year. The

distribution curve of total airborne fugal spores peaked

in April and October, and dropped to the lowest values in

January, July and December (Figure 1). The distribution

curve of the total colony forming unit spiked in April,

October and September, and fell to the lowest values in

January, July and December (Figure 2).

3.4. The Effect of Seasonal Variations on

Airborn Fungi at Three Different Altitudes

At 10, 30 and 70 meters height, increased levels of total

airborne fugal spores was observed during April and

October, while lower levels were observed during Janu-

ary, July and December (Figure 3). The concentration of

fungal spores decreased with respect to the increase in

the altitude. The number of spores at 70 meters was

lower compared to the levels observed at 30 and 10 me-

ters during September and October.

The distribution curve of fungal colony at 10, 30 and

70 meters height indicated a sharp increase during four

months from January to April. The distribution curve of

the fungal colonies at 10 and 70 meters reached to its

lowest point during July, January, December, and at 30

meter height similar levels were observed in July, Janu-

ary and May (Figure 4).

3.5. The Relationship between the Airborne

Fungal and Meteorological Factors

The monthly meteorological measurements: average tem-

perature, average relative humidity, average atmospheric

pressure, average wind speed, rainfall and solar radiation

had no observable relationship between the total spore

count at 10 and 30 meters height. At 70 meters height,

the total spore count was negatively correlated with solar

radiation (Y = 342.191 – 0.718 X6, r = 0.602, p < 0.05).

Months

Figure 1. The distribution of slide spore count during a 12

month period.

Months

Figure 2. The distribution of colony forming count during

a 12 month period.

Months

Figure 3. The distribution of slide spore count at three alti-

tudes during a 12 month period.

Months

Figure 4. The distribution of colony forming count at three

altitudes during a 12 month period.

The total monthly spore count of Cladospo rium, Usti-

lago, Alremaria had no relationship between the mete-

orological factors. The spore counts of Holminthsporium

was negatively correlated with solar radiation (Y =

156.026 – 0.409 X6, r = 0.602, p ＜ 0.05). The spore

count of Uredinales was negatively correlated with av-

erage wind speed and rainfall (Y = 176.894 – 35.314 X4

– 0.099 X5, r = 0.805, p ＜ 0.05).

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

512

4. DISCUSSION

4.1. Comparison of Airborne Fungi in

Shenzhen University and Other Regions

The most common fungi documented in many Chinese

districts were Alremari, Cladosporium, Usti lago , Ure-

dinales, Asperg illus, Penicill ium, Ho lm in ths p or iu m, Fu-

sarium an d Saccharomyces [16-25]. Similar observa-

tions were documented in many other countries as well

[7-9,12,14,28,29]. The top five genera of fungi spores in

our study were Cladosporium (16.45%), Ustilago

(13.04%), Alremaria (11.41%), Holminthsporium

(11.37%) and Uredinales (9.54%). While the top five

genera of fungi spore in Guangzhou were Alremaria

(27.49%), Ustilago (17.26%), Uredinales (6.95%), Hol-

minthsporium (6.09%) and Fusarium (4.99%). Clado-

sporium only took up 0.77% in Guangzhou [16]. The top

five genera of fungal colony in our study were Penicil-

lium (24.11%), Aspergillus (15.63%), Saccharomyces

(12.67%), Cladosporium (11.85%) and Alremaria

(5.11%). The top five genera of fungi colony in Guang-

zhou were Cladosporium (21.60%), Penicillium (19.71%),

Alremaria (5.54%), Rhizopus (5.05%) and Aspergillus

(4.43%). The non-sporulating fungi in our study area and

in Guangzhou were 18.28% and 30.79%, respectively

[16]. This indicates that the fungal spore count differs

according to time and place.

The concentration of fungal spores changed with sea-

sonal variation in many districts in China during April to

October [16-25]. The concentration of fungal spores in

Guangzhou was high during April, September and Oc-

tober, and the lower during January, July and December

[16]. Similar results were observed in our study.

4.2. Comparison of Airborne Fungal Spores

at Different Altitudes

Our results showed that the total spore count decreased

with the increase in height. However, the total genera of

fungi did not decrease with the height. The fungi with

larger spore sizes, such as Holmin thsporium, Alremaria,

Ustilago and Curvularia were concentrated at 10 meters

height. While the fungi with smaller spore sizes such as

Cladosporium was concentrated at 70 meters. The count

of Aspergillus didn’t show much difference at 30 or 70

meters height. Chakraborty (2001) [13] reported that the

smaller spores were dominant at greater heights and lar-

ger spores and conidia were more prevalent at lower

levels. Furthermore, the distribution of fungal spores at

different altitude was influenced by their shapes [30].

4.3. The Relationship between the Airborne

Fungi and Meteorological Factors

The distribution of airborne fungi spores can be affected

by various factors including meteorological factors. The

effect of meteorological factors on the count of airborne

fungal spores varied from one fungal taxon to another.

Most airborne fungi have a strong relationship with

temperature; however, Aspergillus/Penicillium hyphal

fragments were positively correlated with wind speed. In

comparison with other airborne fungi, Leptosphaeria

and unidentified Ascomycetes were more closely corre-

lated with rain and relative humidity during the growing

season [31]. Alternaria and Cladosporium are positively

correlated with temperature and duration of sunlight.

However, Ustilago indicated a positive correlation with

relative humidity and negative correlation with wind

speed [32]. Alternaria and Cladosporium showed a posi-

tive association with temperature, duration of sunlight

and accumulated rainfall, but negatively correlated with

daily rainfall [33].

In our results, the meteorological factors had no ob-

servable relationship between the total monthly spore

count and altitude. At 70 meters, the total spore count

was negatively correlated with solar radiation. The total

monthly spore count of Cladosporium, Ustilag o, Alre-

maria had no observable relationship between the mete-

orological factors. The spore count of Holminthsporium

was negatively correlated with solar radiation, while the

spore count of Uredinales was negatively correlated with

average wind speed and rainfall. In this study, the tem-

perature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure did not

affect the total spore concentrations. It may be due to the

subtropical climatic location of Shenzhen. The meteoro-

logical data showed that the temperature, relative hu-

midity, atmospheric pressure did not change drastically

in Shenzhen during the entire year. Therefore, seasonal

variations did not affect the distibution of the fungal

spores significantly.

5. CONCLUSIONS

There were 27 genera or species of fungus spores and 18

genera of fungi colonies identified in a given year. The

airborne fungal spores were present in the atmosphere of

Shenzhen University all year round. The peaks of air-

borne spores appeared during April and October, while

the lowest numbers were observed during January, July

and December. The highest volumes of fungi colonies

were observed during April, October and September,

while the lowest numbers were detected during in Janu-

ary, July and December or May. The meteorological

factors had no relationship between the total monthly

spore count at 10 and 30 meter height. At 70 meter, the

total spores count was negatively correlated with solar

radiation. Most of fungi spores decreased along with the

increase of altitudes.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was financially supported by the natural science foundation

of Guangdong Province (No. 04300891). The authors would like to

gratefully acknowledge Guo- qiang Xiong and Yan Ying in center for

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

513

disease control of Nanchang who helped with the indentification of the

fungi. The authors would also thank Shenzhen meteorlogical admini-

stration for providing the meteorlogical data.

REFERENCES

[1] Horner, W.E., Helbling, A., Salvaggio, J.E. and Lehrer,

S.B. (1995) Fungal allergens. Clinical Microbiology Re-

views, 8(2), 161-179.

[2] Niedoszytko, M., Chełmińska, M. and Chełmiński, K.

(2002) Fungal allergy--part II. Polski Merkuriusz Lekar-

ski, 12(70), 314-317.

[3] Semik-Orzech, A., Barczyk, A. and Pierzchała, W. (2008)

The influence of sensitivity to fungal allergens on the

development and course of allergic diseases of the respi-

ratory tract. Pneumonologia I Alergologia Polska, 76(1),

29-36.

[4] Kurup, V.P., Shen, H.D. and Banerjee, B. (2000) Respi-

ratory fungal allergy. Microbes and Infection, 2(9),

1101-1110.

[5] Kakde, U.B., Kakde, H.U. and Saoji, A.A. (2001) Sea-

sonal variation of fungal propagules in a fruit market en-

vironment, Nagpur (India). Aerobiologia, 17, 177-182.

[6] Katial, R.K., Zhang, Y., Jones, R.H. and Dyer, P.D. (1997)

Atmospheric mold spore counts in relation to meteoro-

logical parameters. International Journal of Biometeo-

rology, 41(1), 17-22.

[7] Oliveira, M., Ribeiro, H. and Abreu, I. (2005) Annual

variation of fungal spores in atmosphere of Porto: 2003.

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine,

12(2), 309-315.

[8] Ogunlana, E.O. (1975) Fungal air spora at Ibadan, Nige-

ria. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 29(4), 458-463.

[9] Moustafa, A.F. and Kamel, S.M. (1976) A study of fungal

spore poupulations in the atmosphere of Kuwait.

Mycopathologia, 59(1), 29-35.

[10] Takahashi, T. (1997) Airborne fungal colony-forming

units in outdoor and indoor environments in Yokohama,

Japan. Mycopathologia, 139, 23-33.

[11] Marshall, W.A. (1997) Seasonality in antarctic airborne

fungal spores. Applied and Environmental Microbiology,

63(6), 2240-2245.

[12] Al-Suwaine, A.S., Bahkali, A.H. and Hasnain, S.M.

(1999) Seasonal incidence of airborne fungal allergens in

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mycopathologia, 145(1), 15-22.

[13] Chakraborty, P., Gupta-Bhattacharya, S., Chowdhury, I.,

Majumdar, M.R. and Chanda, S. (2001) Differences in

concentrations of allergenic pollens and spores at differ-

ent heights on an agricultural farm in West Bengal, India.

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 8(2),

123-130.

[14] Mezzari, A., Perin, C., Santos Júnior, S.A., Bernd, L.A.

and Gesu, G

.D. (2003) Airborne fungi and sensitization

in atopic individuals in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Revista

da Associação Médica Brasileira, 49(3), 270-273.

[15] Segvić Klarić, M. and Pepeljnjak, S. (2006) A year-round

aeromycological study in Zagreb area, Croatia. Annals of

Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 13(1), 55-64.

[16] Zhan, Q.S., Wang, S.H., Li, M.L. and Zhang, W.Y. (1994)

Study on quantity and types of allergic fungi in air. Mod-

ern Preventive Medicine, 21(2), 67-68. (in Chinese)

[17] Jiang, X.W., Wu, W.J., Yang, C.Y. and Jiang, X.C. (1994)

A primanry investigation on airborne allergenic fungi

in the eastern district of Changsha. Bulletin of Hunan

Medical University, 19(4), 326-328. (in Chinese)

[18] Li, Y.F. and Sun, X.Z. (1994) Investigation of airborne

fungi in Xian distict. Journal of Xian Medical University,

15(4), 371-382. (in Chinese)

[19] Fang, R.Q., Xie, S.Q. and Zhan, H.M. (1997) Investiga-

tion report of airborne fungus across Kunming city

proper. Academic Journal of Kunming Medical College,

18(3), 30-33. (in Chinese)

[20] Wang, M.M. and Liu, T.M. (1997) Prodominant fungi

present in the air of a hospital in Nanjing and their sea-

sonal variation. Journal of Nanjing Railway Medical

College, 16(4), 256-258. (in Chinese)

[21] Zhang, Z.Z., Li, Y., Long, F.Q. and Mo, X. (1999) Inves-

tigation of airborne fungi in Nanning Guangxi Province.

Guangxi Medical Journal, 21(6), 1121-1124. (in Chinese)

[22] Ning, Y.L., Chang, H.Z. and Zhang, N. (2001) Investiga-

tion report of airborne fungus in Baoding City. Journal of

Hebei Medical College Continuting Education, 18(3),

40-41. (in Chinese)

[23] Su, H., Lu, X., Chen, W.Y., Zhang, B.B. and Li, Y.J.

(2001) Investigation on the atmosphere propagating sen-

sitzing Fungi in Wuhan. Chinese Journal of Microbiol-

ogy and Immunology, 21(Supplement), 42-43. (in Chi-

nese)

[24] Jin, Z.C., Yin, K.H. and Chen, X.X. (2001) Study of the

relationship between airborne fung and asthma in Zhen-

jiang city. Practical Preventive Medicine, 8(3), 170-172.

(in Chinese)

[25] Huang, J.J., Hong, S.L., Zhou, W. and Yang, Y.C. (2002)

Air-borne molds in Chongqing city. Chongqing Medicine,

31(8), 701-703. (in Chinese)

[26] Ye, S.T., Qiao, B.S. and Lu, Y.J. (1992) China allergic

aeromycology. People’s Medical Publishing House, Bei-

jing. (in Chinese)

[27] Zhou, S.N., Chen, W.T., Burnett, J. and Deng, B.L. (1997)

A study of microorganisms in air-conditioned indoor en-

vironment. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 17(4), 498-501.

(in Chinese)

[28] Hedayati, M.T., Mayahi, S., Aghili, R. and Gohari-

moghadam, K. (2005) Airborne fungi in indoor and out-

door of asthmatic patients’ home, living in the city of sari.

Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,

4(4), 189-91.

[29] Ana, S.G., Torres-Rodríguez, J.M., Ramírez, E.A., García,

S.M. and Belmonte-Soler, J. (2006) Seasonal distribution

of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium

species isolated in homes of fungal allergic patients.

Journal Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immu-

nology, 16(6), 357-363.

[30] Lacey, J. (1997). Fungi and actinomycemycetes as aller-

gens. In: Kay, A.B. Ed., Allergy and Allergic Diseases,

Black Science, London K, 858-883.

[31] Li, D.W. and Kendrick, B. (1995) A year-round study on

functional relationships of airborne fungi with meteoro-

logical factors. International Journal of Biometeorology,

39(2), 74-80.

[32] Sabariego, S., Guardia, C.D. and Alba, F. (2000) The

effect of meteorological factors on the daily variation of

airborne fungal spores in Granada (southern Spain).

International Journal of Biometeorology, 44(1), 1-5.

L. Li et al. / Natural Science 2 (2010) 506-514

514

[33] Sabariego, S., Guardia, C.D. and Alba, F. (2004) Aerobi-

ological study of Alternaria and Cladosporium conidia in

the atmosphere of Almeria (SE Spain). Revista Ibero-

americana de Micología, 21(3), 121-127.