A Cross Sectional Study on the 24 – Hour Variation of Fungal Pollution in the Atmosphere of Erbil City, Iraq

Abstract

Airborne fungi are an important part of aerobiological particles; this group includes several etiologic fungi for humans, animals, and plants. Meteorological parameters as well as plantations are actively influencing the density of outdoor airborne fungi. The current study followed the plate exposure method to collect bihourly air samples for 3 days between April 22 and July 7, 2023. The site of sample collection is 15 meters high in the centre of Erbil city. Sabouraud’s dextrose agar was used. Plates were exposed for 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m. the following day. Plates were kept at lab temperature for 3 weeks and examined daily for visible fungal growth. Fungi were morphologically identified at the genus level. A total of 322 colonies belonging to 10 identified genera, as well as sterile mycelia SM, sclerotia bodies, chlamydospore colonies, and creamy yeast colonies, were Hyphomycetes, which represented 6 genera, Ascomycetes 2, Zygomycetes, and Basidiomycetes, one for each.SM group showed the highest frequency (F% =48.2%) and occurrence (O% =100%). Aspergillus spp. has the second incidence level (F=12.7% and O%=91.6%) followed by Alternaria sp. (F=9.3% and O= 25%).