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Stupar M, Savković Ž, Popović S, Simić GS, Grbić ML. Speleomycology of Air in Stopića Cave (Serbia). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2021-2031. [PMID: 37000232 PMCID: PMC10064612 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02214-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Fungi can colonize organic matter present in subterranean sites and have a significant role as dwellers in different microniches of cave habitats. In order to analyze the content of airborne fungal propagules in different parts of "Stopića Cave," a touristic site in Serbia, air sampling was carried out in three seasons during 2020, prior to and during the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. Culturable mycobiota was identified using both microscopic techniques and ITS region/BenA gene barcoding, while multivariate analyses were employed to establish the link between fungal taxa and different environmental factors. The maximal measured fungal propagule concentrations were recorded during spring sampling which were based on fungal propagule concentration categories; the cave environment matches the category V. A total of 29 fungal isolates were identified, while Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Lecanicillium, Mucor, and Penicillium were the most diverse genera. According to the trophic mode, most of the isolated fungal species were pathotrophs (75.86%), but when regarding ecological guilds, the most dominant were undefined saprobes and animal pathogens (41.38% for each). Show caves are especially vulnerable to human impacts, and the fungal propagules' concentration within the caves could be good indices for the level of ecological disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Stupar
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
| | - Željko Savković
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Slađana Popović
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Gordana Subakov Simić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
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2
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Piano E, Biagioli F, Nicolosi G, Coleine C, Poli A, Prigione V, Zanellati A, Addesso R, Varese GC, Selbmann L, Isaia M. Tourism affects microbial assemblages in show caves. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162106. [PMID: 36764528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance on natural ecosystems is growing in frequency and magnitude affecting all ecosystems components. Understanding the response of different types of biocoenosis to human disturbance is urgently needed and it can be achieved by adopting a metacommunity framework. With the aid of advanced molecular techniques, we investigated sediment communities of Fungi, Bacteria and Archaea in four Italian show caves, aiming to disentangle the effects induced by tourism on their diversity and to highlight changes in the driving forces that shape their community composition. We modelled diversity measures against proxies of tourism pressure. With this approach we demonstrate that the cave tourism has a direct effect on the community of Bacteria and an indirect influence on Fungi and Archaea. By analysing the main driving forces influencing the community composition of the three microbial groups, we highlighted that stochastic factors override dispersal-related processes and environmental selection in show caves compared to undisturbed areas. Thanks to this approach, we provide new perspectives on the dynamics of microbial communities under human disturbance suggesting that a proper understanding of the underlying selective mechanisms requires a comprehensive and multi-taxonomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Piano
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Federico Biagioli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nicolosi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Poli
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Prigione
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Zanellati
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Rosangela Addesso
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cristina Varese
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marco Isaia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
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3
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Liñán C, de Cisneros CJ, Benavente J, Vadillo I, Del Rosal Y, Ojeda L. Coronavirus pandemic: An opportunity to study the anthropogenic impact on micro-climate conditions and CaCO 3 crystal morphology in the Nerja Cave (SE Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163693. [PMID: 37100125 PMCID: PMC10124093 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spanish Government restricted non-essential movements of all citizens and closed all public spaces, such as the Nerja Cave, until May 31, 2020. This particular condition of the closure of the cave provided a unique opportunity to study the micro-climate conditions and carbonate precipitation in this tourist cave without the presence of visitors. Our results show the significant effect of visitors on the air isotopic signature of the cave and on the genesis of the extensive dissolution features affecting the carbonate crystals formed in the tourist sector of the cave, alerting us to the possible corrosion of the speleothems located there. The movement of visitors within the cave also favours the mobilisation of aerial fungi and bacterial spores and their subsequent sedimentation simultaneously with the abiotic precipitation of carbonates from the drip water. The traces of these biotic elements could be the origin of the micro-perforations previously described in the carbonate crystals formed in the tourist galleries of the cave, but they are subsequently enlarged due to abiotic dissolution of the carbonates through these weaker zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Liñán
- Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga and Department of Ecology and Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; Research Institute, Nerja Cave Foundation, Carretera de Maro, s/n, 29787 Nerja, Malaga, Spain.
| | - C Jiménez de Cisneros
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (IACT-UGR), 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - J Benavente
- Water Research Institute and Department of Geodynamics, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - I Vadillo
- Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga and Department of Ecology and Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
| | - Y Del Rosal
- Research Institute, Nerja Cave Foundation, Carretera de Maro, s/n, 29787 Nerja, Malaga, Spain.
| | - L Ojeda
- Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga and Department of Ecology and Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
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4
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Álvarez Castelló M, Almaguer Chávez M. Climate Change and Allergies. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89664-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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5
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Sanchez-Moral S, Jurado V, Fernandez-Cortes A, Cuezva S, Martin-Pozas T, Gonzalez-Pimentel JL, Ontañon R, Saiz-Jimenez C. Environment-driven control of fungi in subterranean ecosystems: the case of La Garma Cave (northern Spain). Int Microbiol 2021; 24:573-591. [PMID: 34292448 PMCID: PMC8616876 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-021-00193-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms can cause important conservation problems in caves with Paleolithic art and therefore the knowledge of cave aerodynamic is essential. La Garma Cave (Cantabria, Spain), an exceptional archaeological site with several levels of galleries interconnected and two entrances, presents a complex atmospheric dynamics. An approach including aerobiological sampling together with microclimate monitoring was applied to assess the factors controlling the origin of airborne fungi. Here we show that winter ventilation is critical for the increasing of Basidiomycota spores in the cave air and the highest concentrations were found in the most ventilated areas. On the contrary, Ascomycota spores prevailed in absence of ventilation. Besides, most Ascomycota were linked to insects and bats that visit or inhabit the cave. The combination of aerobiological and microclimate data constitutes a good approach to evaluate the influence of external climatic conditions and design the most suitable strategies for the conservation of cultural heritage in the cave environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valme Jurado
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiologia (IRNAS-CSIC), 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Soledad Cuezva
- Departamento de Geologia, Geografia y Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Alcala de Henares, 28805, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Roberto Ontañon
- Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueologia de Cantabria, 39009, Santander, Spain
| | - Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiologia (IRNAS-CSIC), 41012, Sevilla, Spain.
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6
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Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Airborne Fungi in Nerja Cave, Spain. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11136236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nerja Cave, Southern Spain, was revealed as an important biodiversity reservoir from which several novel species of Aspergillus were described. We carried out an aerobiological study in Nerja Cave to assess the origin of airborne fungi. This study quantified the fungi present in the air of ten representative halls covering the three sectors comprising the cave: Touristic Galleries, High Galleries, and New Galleries. Microclimatological monitoring allowed us to understand the dynamic of airborne fungi in two seasons of the year (winter and summer), corresponding to the strongest and the lowest cave ventilation, and to validate the influence that the transport of airborne fungi from outside may have on the cave itself. The data show that cold air enters in winter, as confirmed by the abundant presence of Aspergillus and Penicillium spores inside and outside the cave. In summer, the abundance of some fungi in the air of Nerja Cave, which are not detected outside, indicates a stagnation or low ventilation, and therefore, the concentration of fungal spores is maxima. The high occurrence of Cladosporium outside the cave and the scarce abundance inside support the cave stagnation in this season.
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7
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Ogórek R, Speruda M, Borzęcka J, Piecuch A, Cal M. First Speleomycological Study on the Occurrence of Psychrophilic and Psychrotolerant Aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave (Western Tatras Mts., Slovakia) and First Reports for Some Species at Underground Sites. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:497. [PMID: 34199665 PMCID: PMC8226529 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Most underground ecosystems are heterotrophic, fungi in these objects are dispersed in the air in the form of spores, and they may be potentially hazardous to mammals. Research in underground sites has focused on mesophilic airborne fungi and only a few concerned cold-adapted species. Therefore, the goal of our research was the first report of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant aeromycota in the Brestovská Cave using culture-based techniques with genetic and phenotypic identification. Plates with PDA medium containing sampled biological material were incubated at 8 ± 0.5 °C. The density of mycobiota inside the cave ranged from 37.4 to 71 CFU 1 m-3 of air and 63.3 CFU 1 m-3 of air outside the cave. Thus, the level of fungal spores did not exceed the standards for the mycological quality of the air. A total of 18 species were isolated during the study, and some species may be potentially dangerous to people with weakened immune system. All fungal species were present inside the cave and only seven of them were outside. Cladosporium cladosporioides dominated in the external air samples and Mortierella parvispora was cultured most frequently from internal air samples. To our knowledge, this is the first discovery of the fungal species such as Coniothyrium pyrinum, Cystobasidium laryngis, Filobasidium wieringae, Leucosporidium drummii, M. parvispora, Mrakia blollopis, Nakazawaea holstii, and Vishniacozyma victoriae in the air inside the underground sites. Moreover, C. pyrinum, C. laryngis, L. drummii, M. blollopis, and N. holstii have never been detected in any component of the underground ecosystems. There are possible reasons explaining the detection of those species, but global warming is the most likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Ogórek
- Department of Mycology and Genetics, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego Street 63-77, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland; (M.S.); (J.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.)
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8
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Abstract
The aerobiology of caves in Southern Spain possesses special characteristics, different from caves located in Northern Spain. Previous studies demonstrated the influence of outdoor air on caves in the north and the existence of two different patterns, depending on the season. In summer there is an abundance of Ascomycota, whereas in winter Basidiomycota predominates, which are related to the periods of stagnation and ventilation, respectively. In caves in Southern Spain the presence of airborne Basidiomycota is scarce and Ascomycota represents the main group of fungi widely distributed across the caves in all seasons. The most characteristic features were the abundant presence of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Parengyodontium album, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Leptobacillium symbioticum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum) and Cladosporium cladosporioides in Cueva del Tesoro, Cueva de Ardales and Gruta de las Maravillas. However, the presence of yeasts of the genera Cutaneotrichosporon, Trichosporon, Cryptococcus, Naganishia, Cystobasidium, Microstroma and Phragmotaenium was exclusive to Gruta de las Maravillas. Fungal hazard in the three show caves were determined using an ecological indicator based on the concentration of spores in cave air.
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10
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Fungal bio-aerosol in multiple micro-environments from eastern India: source, distribution, and health hazards. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-2323-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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11
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Guirado E, Ramos-López D, Maldonado A, Moreno-Balcázar J, Calaforra J. Modeling carbon dioxide for show cave conservation. J Nat Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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12
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Pfendler S, Karimi B, Alaoui-Sosse L, Bousta F, Alaoui-Sossé B, Abdel-Daim MM, Aleya L. Assessment of fungi proliferation and diversity in cultural heritage: Reactions to UV-C treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 647:905-913. [PMID: 30096678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are present in natural and non-touristic caves due to the presence of organic matter provided mainly by insects or animals such as bats. In show caves, however, tourist infrastructure and the visitors themselves are an important source of organic matter. In addition, photosynthetic biofilms provide a high amount of carbon and nitrogen sources for fungi. This study was conducted to identify the fungal communities present in caves along with the potential use of UV-C treatment against their proliferation. Thus, fungal communities proliferating in biofilms in six French and Swiss show caves were analyzed using high throughput sequencing. The results show 385 species recorded, some of them previously described in cases of fungal outbreak. This preliminary study also aimed to test the use of UV-C light as an environmentally friendly method to treat fungal proliferation. Six fungal strains, from three different sources (Lascaux cave, La Glacière cave, a church in Vicherey, France), were cultivated in an agar dish. Spores, mycelia and the entire colony were irradiated using several UV-C intensities. Results showed that four of the six fungi spores and mycelium died following a low-intensity UV-C treatment (2 kJ m-2, 160 s), though Ochroconis lascauxensis and Penicillium bilaiae spores showed higher resistance. Finally, it was demonstrated that the fungal colony could resist the UV-C light due to a shadow effect. The structure of the fungal colony was affected from the periphery to its inner part. However, after four 30 kJ m-2 treatments (39 min irradiation) all strains there definitively eradicated. Further studies will be necessary to examine the potential of UV-C light under cave conditions as a preventive and curative treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Pfendler
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement - UMR 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16, route de Gray, 25 000 Besançon, France
| | - Battle Karimi
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, INRA, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Laurence Alaoui-Sosse
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement - UMR 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16, route de Gray, 25 000 Besançon, France
| | - Faisl Bousta
- Laboratoire de Recherche des Monuments Historiques - USR 3224, Champs-Sur-Marne, France
| | - Badr Alaoui-Sossé
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement - UMR 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16, route de Gray, 25 000 Besançon, France
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku Yokohama, Kanagawa-ken 232-0024, Japan
| | - Lotfi Aleya
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement - UMR 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16, route de Gray, 25 000 Besançon, France.
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13
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Lang-Yona N, Pickersgill DA, Maurus I, Teschner D, Wehking J, Thines E, Pöschl U, Després VR, Fröhlich-Nowoisky J. Species Richness, rRNA Gene Abundance, and Seasonal Dynamics of Airborne Plant-Pathogenic Oomycetes. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2673. [PMID: 30498479 PMCID: PMC6249755 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oomycetes, also named Peronosporomycetes, are one of the most important and widespread groups of plant pathogens, leading to significant losses in the global agricultural productivity. They have been studied extensively in ground water, soil, and host plants, but their atmospheric transport vector is not well characterized. In this study, the occurrence of airborne Oomycetes was investigated by Sanger sequencing and quantitative PCR of coarse and fine aerosol particle samples (57 filter pairs) collected over a 1-year period (2006-2007) and full seasonal cycle in Mainz, Germany. In coarse particulate matter, we found 55 different hypothetical species (OTUs), of which 54 were plant pathogens and 29 belonged to the genus Peronospora (downy mildews). In fine particulate matter (<3 μm), only one species of Hyaloperonospora was found in one sample. Principal coordinate analysis of the species composition revealed three community clusters with a dependence on ambient temperature. The abundance of Oomycetes rRNA genes was low in winter and enhanced during spring, summer, and fall, with a dominance of Phytophthora, reaching a maximum concentration of ∼1.6 × 106 rRNA genes per cubic meter of sampled air in summer. The presence and high concentration of rRNA genes in air suggests that atmospheric transport, which can lead to secondary infection, may be more important than currently estimated. This illustrates the need for more current and detailed datasets, as potential seasonal shifts due to changing meteorological conditions may influence the composition of airborne Oomycetes. An insight into the dynamics of airborne plant pathogens and their major drivers should be useful for improved forecasting and management of related plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naama Lang-Yona
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel A Pickersgill
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabel Maurus
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - David Teschner
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jörn Wehking
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Eckhard Thines
- Institute for Microbiology and Wine Research, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich Pöschl
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Viviane R Després
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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14
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Liñán C, Del Rosal Y, Carrasco F, Vadillo I, Benavente J, Ojeda L. Highlighting the importance of transitional ventilation regimes in the management of Mediterranean show caves (Nerja-Pintada system, southern Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 631-632:1268-1278. [PMID: 29727951 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study shows the utilization of the air CO2 exhaled by a very high number of visitors in the Nerja Cave as both a tracer and an additional tool to precisely evaluate the air circulation through the entire karst system, which includes non-touristic passages, originally free of anthropogenic CO2. The analysis of the temporal - spatial evolution of the CO2 content and other monitoring data measured from January 2015 to December 2016 in the Nerja-Pintada system, including air microbiological controls, has allowed us to define a new general ventilation model, of great interest for the conservation of the subterranean environment. During the annual cycle four different ventilation regimes and two ventilation modes (UAF-mode and DAF-mode) exist which determine the significance of the anthropogenic impact within the caves. During the winter regime, the strong ventilation regime and the airflow directions from the lowest to the highest entrance (UAF-mode) contribute to the rapid elimination of anthropogenic CO2, and this affects the whole karstic system. During the summer regime the DAF-mode ventilation (with airflows from the highest to the lowest entrances) is activated. Although the number of visitors is maximum and the natural ventilation of the karstic system is the lowest of the annual cycle, the anthropogenic impact only affects the Tourist Galleries. The transitional ventilation regimes -spring and autumn- are the most complex of the annual cycle, with changing air-flow directions (from UAF-mode to DAF-mode and vice versa) at diurnal and poly diurnal scale, which conditions the range of the anthropogenic impact in each sector of the karst system. The activation of the DAF-mode has been observed when the temperature difference between the external and air cave is higher than 5°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Liñán
- Research Institute, Nerja Cave Foundation, Carretera de Maro, s/n, 29787 Nerja, Málaga, Spain; Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Y Del Rosal
- Research Institute, Nerja Cave Foundation, Carretera de Maro, s/n, 29787 Nerja, Málaga, Spain.
| | - F Carrasco
- Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
| | - I Vadillo
- Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
| | - J Benavente
- Department of Geodynamics, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
| | - L Ojeda
- Centre of Hydrogeology of University of Malaga, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
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15
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Man B, Wang H, Yun Y, Xiang X, Wang R, Duan Y, Cheng X. Diversity of Fungal Communities in Heshang Cave of Central China Revealed by Mycobiome-Sequencing. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1400. [PMID: 30061866 PMCID: PMC6054936 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering of the mycobiome in pristine karst caves has been impeded by constraints of remote locations, inaccessibility to specimens and technical limitations, which greatly restricted in-depth understanding of mycobiomes in subterranean ecosystem. Here, mycobiomes of Heshang Cave in south-western karst region of China were investigated by Illumina HiSeq sequencing of fungal rRNA-ITS1 gene across different habitats. In total 793,502 ITS1 reads and 2,179 OTUs from 778 Mb reads after stringent quality control (Q30) and 453 genera, 72 orders and 19 classes within 6 phyla were detected. Ascomycota (42% OTUs) dominated across the five habitats. Shannon-Wiener index varied from 1.25 to 7.62 and community richness was highest in drip waters, followed by weathered rocks, bat guanos, sediments, and air samples. Mycobiomes displayed specificity to five habitats and more distinct OTUs were found in weathered rocks (12%) and drip waters (9%). In contrast, only 6.60% core OTUs were shared by five habitats. Notably, weathered rocks possessed more indicator groups and were revealed for the first time to be dominated by Sordariomycetes (43%). The community richness of air mycobiomes increased from cave entrance to the innermost part and dominated by the indicator groups of Penicillium mallochii (>30%) and P. herquei (>9%). Our work represents the largest attempt to date to a systematical investigation of oligotrophic solution-cave-associated mycobiomes in China. Our discovery of high diversity of mycobiomes in Heshang Cave also suggests that eukaryotic microorganisms may play a crucial role in subsurface environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiying Man
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.,College of Life Science, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China.,Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruicheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
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Weryszko-Chmielewska E, Kasprzyk I, Nowak M, Sulborska A, Kaczmarek J, Szymanska A, Haratym W, Gilski M, Jedryczka M. Health hazards related to conidia of Cladosporium-biological air pollutants in Poland, central Europe. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 65:271-281. [PMID: 29548398 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The spores of Cladosporium Link. are often present in the air in high quantities and produce many allergenic proteins, which may lead to asthma. An aerobiological spore monitoring program can inform patients about the current spore concentration in air and help their physicians determine the spore dose that is harmful for a given individual. This makes it possible to develop optimized responses and propose personalized therapy for a particular sensitive patient. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of the human health hazard posed by the fungal genus Cladosporium. For the first time, we have determined the number of days on which air samples in Poland exceeded the concentrations linked to allergic responses of sensitive patients, according to thresholds established by three different groups (2800/3000/4000 spores per 1m3 of the air). The survey was conducted over three consecutive growing seasons (April-September, 2010-2012) in three cities located in different climate zones of Poland (Poznan, Lublin and Rzeszow). The average number of days exceeding 2800 spores per cubic meter (the lowest threshold) ranged from 61 (2010) through 76 (2011) to 93 (2012), though there was significant variation between cities. In each year the highest concentration of spores in the air was detected in either Poznan or Lublin, both located on large plains with intensive agriculture. We have proposed that an effective, science-based software platform to support policy-making on air quality should incorporate biological air pollutant data, such as allergenic fungal spores and pollen grains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Idalia Kasprzyk
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Nowak
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland; Department and Clinic of Dermatology, University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznan, Poland
| | - Aneta Sulborska
- Department of Botany, Lublin University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Kaczmarek
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 34, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Agata Szymanska
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Weronika Haratym
- Department of Botany, Lublin University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Gilski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; Department of Crystallography, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89b, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Jedryczka
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 34, 60-479 Poznan, Poland.
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Pusz W, Król M, Zwijacz-Kozica T. Airborne fungi as indicators of ecosystem disturbance: an example from selected Tatra Mountains caves (Poland). AEROBIOLOGIA 2017; 34:111-118. [PMID: 29497242 PMCID: PMC5818591 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-017-9498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report on the determination of the spore concentration and the species composition of the airborne fungi in selected caves of the Tatra Mountains, Poland. The following caves were surveyed: Mylna, Obłazkowa, Mroźna, Zimna and Naciekowa. The sampling was carried out in July 2015 and in January 2016. The aeromycological analyses were performed with the impact method, using the Air Ideal 3P apparatus and potato dextrose agar (PDA, Biocorp) culture medium. In the course of the July 2015 analysis, 17 species of fungi were isolated and 11 species were isolated in January 2016. In Mylna and Naciekowa caves, the dominant species were Cladosporium cladosporioides and Stachybotrys cylindrospora. In Obłazkowa cave, Rhizoctonia predominated and in Zimna cave-the colonies of the yeast-like fungi, along with S. cylindrospora. In Mroźna cave, Penicillium notatum was the most abundant taxon. In the winter time, in the majority of the caves Penicillium spp. predominated, with the exception of Mroźna and Naciekowa caves where Aspergillus niger was dominant. We propose that aeromycological monitoring be performed regularly in the following caves: Mroźna, Naciekowa and Zimna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Pusz
- Department of Plant Protection, Wroclaw University and Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Sq. 24A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maria Król
- Tatra National Park, Kuźnice 1, 34-500 Zakopane, Poland
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Kallawicha K, Chuang YC, Lung SCC, Han BC, Ting YF, Chao HJ. Exposure to ambient bioaerosols is associated with allergic skin diseases in Greater Taipei residents. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 216:845-850. [PMID: 27389548 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Allergic skin diseases may result from various types of chemical and biological allergens. This study investigated the association between ambient bioaerosol exposure and allergic skin diseases by using the exposure data obtained from land use regression models and interpolated data. Data on daily average outpatient visits for atopic dermatitis (ICD-9-CM 691.8) and contact dermatitis and other eczema (ICD-9-CM 692.9) between November 2011 and August 2012 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database. A generalized estimating equation was used to analyze the associations between the skin diseases and ambient bioaerosol levels. The results indicated that during the study period, contact dermatitis and other eczema were more prevalent than atopic dermatitis in the study area. Most cases were observed in districts of Taipei City and 3 major districts of New Taipei City, namely Xinzhuang, Banqiao, and Xindian. In univariate analysis, most bioaerosols were positively associated with both skin diseases. After adjustment for air pollution and sociodemographic factors, exposure to total fungal spores was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in males (relative risk [RR] = 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.19). Contact dermatitis and other eczema had significant relationships with Cladosporium in males (RR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.02-1.14) and with Aspergillus/Penicillium in females (RR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.02-1.07). Meteorological parameters, namely wind speed, temperature, and rainfall, were also significantly associated with skin diseases. Our findings reveal that exposure to ambient bioaerosols is a significant and independent risk factor for allergic skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kraiwuth Kallawicha
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chih Chuang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Bor-Cheng Han
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Fang Ting
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsing Jasmine Chao
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Man B, Wang H, Xiang X, Wang R, Yun Y, Gong L. Phylogenetic diversity of culturable fungi in the Heshang Cave, central China. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1158. [PMID: 26539184 PMCID: PMC4612708 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Caves are nutrient-limited and dark subterranean ecosystems. To date, attention has been focused on geological research of caves in China, whilst indigenous microbial diversity has been insufficiently characterized. Here, we report the fungal diversity in the pristine, oligotrophic, karst Heshang Cave, central China, using a culture-dependent method coupled with the analysis of the fungal rRNA-ITS gene sequences. A total of 194 isolates were obtained with six different media from 14 sampling sites of sediments, weathered rocks, and bat guanos. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the 194 sequenced isolates into 33 genera within 15 orders of three phyla, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota, indicating a high degree of fungal diversity in the Heshang Cave. Notably, 16 out of the 36 fungal genera were also frequently observed in solution caves around the world and 23 genera were previously found in carbonate cave, indicating potential similarities among fungal communities in cave ecosystems. However, 10 genera in this study were not reported previously in any solution caves, thus expanding our knowledge about fungal diversity in cave ecosystems. Moreover, culturable fungal diversity varied from one habitat to another within the cave, being the highest in sediments, followed by weathered rocks and bat guanos as indicated by α-diversity indexes. At the genus level, Penicillium accounted for 40, 54, and 52% in three habitats of sediments, weathered rocks, and bat guanos, respectively. Trichoderma, Paecilomyces, and Aspergillus accounted for 9, 22, and 37% in the above habitats, correspondingly. Despite of the dominance of Penicillium in all samples, β-diversity index indicated significant differences between each two fungal communities in the three habitats in view of both the composition and abundance. Our study is the first report on fungal communities in a natural pristine solution cave system in central China and sheds light on fungal diversity and functions in cave ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiying Man
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China ; Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China
| | - Xing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China
| | - Ruicheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Yun
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China
| | - Linfeng Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China ; Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration Xiamen, China
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Kallawicha K, Tsai YJ, Chuang YC, Lung SCC, Wu CD, Chen TH, Chen PC, Chompuchan C, Chao HJ. The spatiotemporal distributions and determinants of ambient fungal spores in the Greater Taipei area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 204:173-180. [PMID: 25969377 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Airborne fungal spores, a type of bioaerosols, are significant air pollutants. We conducted a study to determine the spatiotemporal distributions of ambient fungi in the Greater Taipei area and develop land use regression (LUR) models for total and major fungal taxa. Four seasonal sampling campaigns were conducted over a year at 44 representative sites. Multiple regressions were performed to construct the LUR models. Ascospores were the most prevalent category, followed by Aspergillus/Penicillium, basidiospores, and Cladosporium. The highest fungal concentrations were found in spring. According to the LUR models, higher concentrations of Aspergillus/Penicillium and basidiospores were respectively present in residential/commercial areas and in areas with shorter road lengths. Various meteorological factors, particulates with aerodynamic diameters of ≤10 μm, and elevation also had significant relationships with fungal concentrations. The LUR models developed in this study can be used to assess spatiotemporal fungal distribution in the Greater Taipei area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ying-Jie Tsai
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chih Chuang
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chih-Da Wu
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Tsun-Hsuan Chen
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Program, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pang-Cheng Chen
- School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chuphan Chompuchan
- Department of Irrigation Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Ab Majid AH, Zahran Z, Abd Rahim AH, Ismail NA, Abdul Rahman W, Mohammad Zubairi KS, Dieng H, Satho T. Morphological and molecular characterization of fungus isolated from tropical bed bugs in Northern Peninsular Malaysia, Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Jroundi F, Gonzalez-Muñoz MT, Sterflinger K, Piñar G. Molecular Tools for Monitoring the Ecological Sustainability of a Stone Bio-Consolidation Treatment at the Royal Chapel, Granada. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132465. [PMID: 26222040 PMCID: PMC4519126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomineralization processes have recently been applied in situ to protect and consolidate decayed ornamental stone of the Royal Chapel in Granada (Spain). While this promising method has demonstrated its efficacy regarding strengthening of the stone, little is known about its ecological sustainability. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here, we report molecular monitoring of the stone-autochthonous microbiota before and at 5, 12 and 30 months after the bio-consolidation treatment (medium/long-term monitoring), employing the well-known molecular strategy of DGGE analyses. Before the bio-consolidation treatment, the bacterial diversity showed the exclusive dominance of Actinobacteria (100%), which decreased in the community (44.2%) after 5 months, and Gamma-proteobacteria (30.24%) and Chloroflexi (25.56%) appeared. After 12 months, Gamma-proteobacteria vanished from the community and Cyanobacteria (22.1%) appeared and remained dominant after thirty months, when the microbiota consisted of Actinobacteria (42.2%) and Cyanobacteria (57.8%) only. Fungal diversity showed that the Ascomycota phylum was dominant before treatment (100%), while, after five months, Basidiomycota (6.38%) appeared on the stone, and vanished again after twelve months. Thirty months after the treatment, the fungal population started to stabilize and Ascomycota dominated on the stone (83.33%) once again. Members of green algae (Chlorophyta, Viridiplantae) appeared on the stone at 5, 12 and 30 months after the treatment and accounted for 4.25%, 84.77% and 16.77%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The results clearly show that, although a temporary shift in the bacterial and fungal diversity was observed during the first five months, most probably promoted by the application of the bio-consolidation treatment, the microbiota tends to regain its initial stability in a few months. Thus, the treatment does not seem to have any negative side effects on the stone-autochthonous microbiota over that time. The molecular strategy employed here is suggested as an efficient monitoring tool to assess the impact on the stone-autochthonous microbiota of the application of biomineralization processes as a restoration/conservation procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadwa Jroundi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Katja Sterflinger
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, VIBT-BOKU, Vienna, Austria
| | - Guadalupe Piñar
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, VIBT-BOKU, Vienna, Austria
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Vaughan MJ, Nelson W, Soderlund C, Maier RM, Pryor BM. Assessing fungal community structure from mineral surfaces in Kartchner Caverns using multiplexed 454 pyrosequencing. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2015; 70:175-187. [PMID: 25608778 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-014-0560-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Research on the distribution and structure of fungal communities in caves is lacking. Kartchner Caverns is a wet and mineralogically diverse carbonate cave located in an escarpment of Mississippian Escabrosa limestone in the Whetstone Mountains, Arizona, USA. Fungal diversity from speleothem and rock wall surfaces was examined with 454 FLX Titanium sequencing technology using the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 as a fungal barcode marker. Fungal diversity was estimated and compared between speleothem and rock wall surfaces, and its variation with distance from the natural entrance of the cave was quantified. Effects of environmental factors and nutrient concentrations in speleothem drip water at different sample sites on fungal diversity were also examined. Sequencing revealed 2,219 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 95% similarity level. Speleothems supported a higher fungal richness and diversity than rock walls. However, community membership and the taxonomic distribution of fungal OTUs at the class level did not differ significantly between speleothems and rock walls. Both OTU richness and diversity decreased significantly with increasing distance from the natural cave entrance. Community membership and taxonomic distribution of fungal OTUs also differed significantly between the sampling sites closest to the entrance and those furthest away. There was no significant effect of temperature, CO2 concentration, or drip water nutrient concentration on fungal community structure on either speleothems or rock walls. Together, these results suggest that proximity to the natural entrance is a critical factor in determining fungal community structure on mineral surfaces in Kartchner Caverns.
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Human impact on underground cultural and natural heritage sites, biological parameters of monitoring and remediation actions for insensitive surfaces: Case of Slovenian show caves. J Nat Conserv 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Troiano F, Polo A, Villa F, Cappitelli F. Assessing the microbiological risk to stored sixteenth century parchment manuscripts: a holistic approach based on molecular and environmental studies. BIOFOULING 2014; 30:299-311. [PMID: 24552245 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2013.871539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The microbial risk for the conservation of seven sixteenth century parchment manuscripts, which showed brown discolouration putatively caused by microorganisms, was evaluated using non-invasive sampling techniques, microscopy, studies of surface-associated and airborne microflora with culture-independent molecular methods, and by measuring repository thermo-hygrometric values. Microscopic observations and ATP assays demonstrated a low level of contamination, indicating that the discolouration was not related to currently active microbial colonisation. Nevertheless, a culture-independent molecular approach was adopted to fully characterise surface-associated communities searching for biodeteriogens that could grow under appropriate thermo-hygrometric conditions. Indeed, potential biodeteriogens and microorganisms that are ecologically related to humans were found, suggesting the need to control the conservation environment and improve handling procedures. Microbial loads of air and thermo-hygrometric measurements showed that the repository was not suitable for preventing the microbial deterioration of parchment. A holistic approach to the assessment of risk of microbial deterioration of documents and heritage preservation is proposed for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Troiano
- a a Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente (DeFENS) , Università degli Studi di Milano , Milan , Italy
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26
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Garcia-Anton E, Cuezva S, Jurado V, Porca E, Miller AZ, Fernandez-Cortes A, Saiz-Jimenez C, Sanchez-Moral S. Combining stable isotope (δ13C) of trace gases and aerobiological data to monitor the entry and dispersion of microorganisms in caves. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:473-484. [PMID: 23807558 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1915-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Altamira Cave (north of Spain) contains one of the world's most prominent Paleolithic rock art paintings, which are threatened by a massive microbial colonization of ceiling and walls. Previous studies revealed that exchange rates between the cave and the external atmosphere through the entrance door play a decisive role in the entry and transport of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) and nutrients to the interior of the cave. A spatial-distributed sampling and measurement of carrier (CO2) and trace (CH4) gases and isotopic signal of CO2 (δ(13)C) inside the cave supports the existence of a second connection (active gas exchange processes) with the external atmosphere at or near the Well Hall, the innermost and deepest area of the cave. A parallel aerobiological study also showed that, in addition to the entrance door, there is another connection with the external atmosphere, which favors the transport and increases microorganism concentrations in the Well Hall. This double approach provides a more complete knowledge on cave ventilation and revealed the existence of unknown passageways in the cave, a fact that should be taken into account in future cave management.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Garcia-Anton
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Incidence des spores fongiques de l’air de Tétouan (NW du Maroc) et influence des paramètres météorologiques. REVUE FRANCAISE D ALLERGOLOGIE 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reval.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Abstract
Indoor environments play important roles in human health. The health hazards posed by polluted indoor environments include allergy, infections and toxicity. Life style changes have resulted in a shift from open air environments to air tight, energy efficient, environments, in which people spend a substantial portion of their time. Most indoor air pollution comes from the hazardous non biological agents and biological agents. Fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and are a serious threat to public health in indoor environments. In this communication, we have reviewed the current status on biotic indoor air pollution, role of fungi as biological contaminants and their impact on human health.
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Airborne Fungi in Tabriz, Comparing Airborne and Clinical Samples of <italic>A. fumigatus</italic> (2011), Survey and Literature Review. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2013. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.4997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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30
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Oteros J, Galán C, Alcázar P, Domínguez-Vilches E. Quality control in bio-monitoring networks, Spanish Aerobiology Network. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 443:559-565. [PMID: 23220389 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Several of the airborne biological particles, such as pollen grains and fungal spores, are known to generate human health problems including allergies and infections. A number of aerobiologists have focused their research on these airborne particles. The Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA) was set up in 1992, and since then dozens of research groups have worked on a range of related topics, including the standardization of study methods and the quality control of data generated by this network. In 2010, the REA started work on an inter-laboratory survey for proficiency testing purposes. The main goal of the study reported in the present paper was to determine the performance of technicians in the REA network using an analytical method that could be implemented by other bio-monitoring networks worldwide. The results recorded by each technician were compared with the scores obtained for a bounded mean of all results. The performance of each technician was expressed in terms of the relative error made in counting each of several pollen types. The method developed and implemented here proved appropriate for proficiency testing in interlaboratory studies involving bio-monitoring networks, and enabled the source of data quality problems to be pinpointed. The test revealed a variation coefficient of 10%. The relative error was significant for 3.5% of observations. In overall terms, the REA staff performed well, in accordance with the REA Management and Quality Manual. These findings serve to guarantee the quality of the data obtained, which can reliably be used for research purposes and published in the media in order to help prevent pollen-related health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Oteros
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (CeiA3), Campus of Rabanales, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.
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Recio M, Trigo MDM, Docampo S, Melgar M, García-Sánchez J, Bootello L, Cabezudo B. Analysis of the predicting variables for daily and weekly fluctuations of two airborne fungal spores: Alternaria and Cladosporium. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2012; 56:983-91. [PMID: 22089367 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-011-0509-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2011] [Revised: 09/05/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Alternaria and Cladosporium are two fungal taxa whose spores (conidia) are included frequently in aerobiological studies of outdoor environments. Both spore types are present in the atmosphere of Malaga (Spain) throughout almost the entire year, although they reach their highest concentrations during spring and autumn. To establish predicting variables for daily and weekly fluctuations, Spearman's correlations and stepwise multiple regressions between spore concentrations (measured using a volumetric 7-day recorder) and meteorological variables were made with results obtained for both spore types in 1996 and 1997. Correlations and regressions were also made between the different taxa and their concentrations in different years. Significant and positive correlation coefficients were always obtained between spore concentrations of both taxa, followed by temperature, their concentrations in different years, sunshine hours and relative humidity (this last in a negative sense). For the two spore types we obtained higher correlation and regression coefficients using weekly data. We showed different regression models using weekly values. From the results and a practical point of view, it was concluded that weekly values of the atmospheric concentration of Alternaria spores can be predicted from the maximum temperature expected and its concentrations in the years sampled. As regards the atmospheric concentration of Cladoposrium spores, the weekly values can be predicted based on the concentration of Alternaria spores, thus saving the time and effort that would otherwise be employed in counting them by optical microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Recio
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Campus of Teatinos, Malaga, Spain.
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Mulec J, Vaupotič J, Walochnik J. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic airborne microorganisms as tracers of microclimatic changes in the underground (Postojna Cave, Slovenia). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2012; 64:654-667. [PMID: 22570119 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-012-0059-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Bioaerosols in cave air can serve as natural tracers and, together with physical parameters, give a detailed view of conditions in the cave atmosphere and responses to climatic changes. Airborne microbes in the Postojna Cave system indicated very dynamic atmospheric conditions, especially in the transitory seasonal periods between winter and summer. Physical parameters of cave atmosphere explained the highest variance in structure of microbial community in the winter and in the summer. The airborne microbial community is composed of different microbial groups with generally low abundances. At sites with elevated organic input, occasional high concentrations of bacteria and fungi can be expected of up to 1,000 colony-forming units/m(3) per individual group. The most abundant group of airborne amoebozoans were the mycetozoans. Along with movements of air masses, airborne algae also travel deep underground. In a cave passage with elevated radon concentration (up to 60 kBq/m(3)) airborne biota were less abundant; however, the concentration of DNA in the air was comparable to that in other parts of the cave. Due to seasonal natural air inflow, high concentrations of biological and inanimate particles are introduced underground. Sedimentation of airborne allochthonous material might represent an important and continuous source of organic material for cave fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janez Mulec
- Karst Research Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Titov trg 2, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia.
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Haleem Khan A, Mohan Karuppayil S. Fungal pollution of indoor environments and its management. Saudi J Biol Sci 2012; 19:405-26. [PMID: 23961203 PMCID: PMC3730554 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2012.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Indoor environments play important roles in human health. The health hazards posed by polluted indoor environments include allergy, infections and toxicity. Life style changes have resulted in a shift from open air environments to air tight, energy efficient, environments, in which people spend a substantial portion of their time. Most indoor air pollution comes from the hazardous non biological agents and biological agents. Fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and are a serious threat to public health in indoor environments. In this communication, we have reviewed the current status on biotic indoor air pollution, role of fungi as biological contaminants and their impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.A. Haleem Khan
- DST-FIST Sponsored School of Life Sciences, SRTM University, Nanded 431606, MS, India
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Microbiological and environmental issues in show caves. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2012; 28:2453-64. [PMID: 22806150 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-012-1070-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/21/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cultural tourism expanded in the last half of the twentieth century, and the interest of visitors has come to include caves containing archaeological remains. Some show caves attracted mass tourism, and economical interests prevailed over conservation, which led to a deterioration of the subterranean environment and the rock art. The presence and the role of microorganisms in caves is a topic that is often ignored in cave management. Knowledge of the colonisation patterns, the dispersion mechanisms, and the effect on human health and, when present, over rock art paintings of these microorganisms is of the utmost importance. In this review the most recent advances in the study of microorganisms in caves are presented, together with the environmental implications of the findings.
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Fernandez-Cortes A, Cuezva S, Sanchez-Moral S, Cañaveras JC, Porca E, Jurado V, Martin-Sanchez PM, Saiz-Jimenez C. Detection of human-induced environmental disturbances in a show cave. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2011; 18:1037-1045. [PMID: 21553035 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the effects of human-induced disruption in a subterranean stable environment containing valuable Palaeolithic paintings and engravings (Ardales Cave, Southern Spain) using a double analytical approach. METHODS An environmental monitoring system was installed in the cave to record temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and radon ((222)Rn) concentrations in air. In the same stations, an aerobiological sampling was conducted to quantify the level of airborne microorganisms. RESULTS The combination of different methods allowed us to detect the extent of human-induced changes, confirming that these can be very hazardous in certain cave areas that should be apparently outside the scope of human disturbances, either by their remoteness to the visitor entrance or by being briefly visited. CONCLUSIONS The detection of evident anomalies in the environmental parameters and airborne microorganism concentration in the cave area housing the high density of paintings and engravings helps to control human disturbances and supports the direct application of this double approach for cave management purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Fernandez-Cortes
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN-CSIC, Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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