Vol. 39, issue 06, article # 8

Abstract:

The biological component of atmospheric aerosols includes fungi, bacteria, viruses, and different natural and anthropogenic organic microparticles, which can affect the climate, atmospheric processes, and human health. Fungi are important multifunctional components of the microbiome of the atmosphere From April to August 2025, atmospheric aerosols were sampled on the territory of Koltsovo settlement, Novosibirsk region, with the aim of estimating the concentrations and biodiversity of fungi in them. Aerosol was sampled with the use of impingers with Hanks' medium; the resulting suspensions were inoculated onto nutrient media to isolate pure cultures and further study them. The fungi were identified by sequencing the nucleotide sequences (ns) of the fungal isolates' genomic DNA. The sequencing results yielded the ns of the fungal DNA marker regions, which were further identified by comparing them with the GenBank database using the BLASTn algorithm. The total number of microorganisms isolated from different aerosol samples significantly varied, from zero to 1.85 ´ 10⁴ CFU/m³. The concentration of fungi was significantly higher than the concentration of bacteria in many samples. Daily fluctuations in the concentration of fungi in the aerosols were ascertained. Widespread mold fungi Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Candida, Fusarium, Penicillium, Cladosporium, etc. and higher fungi Trametes, Coprinellus, Bjerkandera, Phanerodontia, Schizophyllum, etc., were identified among the isolates, including saprotrophs and pathogens responsible for infections and allergic reactions in humans and animals. Our data indicate a need in monitoring studies of the atmosphere microbiome in order to assess its harmful effects on the regional environment and public health. The results can be used for distinguishing periods of the most active spore production by fungi in order to calendar the concentration of pathogenic fungal spores in the atmosphere and to develop timely preventive measures.

Keywords:

atmospheric aerosol, microbial concentration, fungal isolate, genomic identification

Figures:

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